Iran aviation chief 'certain' Boeing plane was 'not hit by missile'

Iran's civil aviation chief Ali Abedzeh said on January 10 that he is 'certain' that 'missile did t strike' Ukrainian jetliner which crashed shortly after take-off in Iran. Boeing 737-700 crashed on January 8 killing 176 people on same day Iran h fired multiple missiles on Iraqi military bases housing US troops. Reportedly, Abedzeh told reporters in Tehran that 'one thing is for certain, aeroplane was t hit by a missile'. According to Iranian official, ' "any remarks me before data is extracted is t an expert opinion'.

However, American, Canian, and British officials have said that ir intelligence sources indicate that it is 'highly likely' that Iran shot down jetliner after being 'mistakenly identified' as a threat. Ukrainian President posted on Facebook that ' version of a missile is t ruled out, but it has t yet been confirmed'. Abedzeh also said that jet might have crashed due to a 'technical fault' in black boxes and ackwledged that he might require help from outside country to decode m.

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According to Iranian official, ' information in black boxes is crucial' for aviation organisation to make a statement. authorities found two black boxes of crashed Ukraine International Airlines aircraft on Wednesday, it was revealed that black boxes would t be handed over to manufacturer Boeing. A detailed examination of black box data can help reveal cause of plane crash.

While dismissing all allegations that Iran identified Boeing jetliner as a threat and targetted a  missile were put at rest by Abedzeh but ded that black box of plane is 'damd'. decoding of data will begin on January 11 and in case equipment Iran has failed to get content, y will outsource information to 'France or Cana'. country's aviation chief reassured that 'whatever is  result', it will be publicised to world. 

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Boeing, Ukraine, US to join probe

Just recently, Iran also invited Boeing and Ukraine to investigation into plane crash while US also joined. An Iranian ncy quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying that Iran 'has invited both Ukraine and Boeing company to participate in investigations'. spokesperson, Abbas Mousavi, also said it will also welcome experts from or countries’ whose citizens died in crash.

This comes after Iran h initially said that it would t allow Boeing to take part in probe and went against international rms on crash investigations. Under rules by United Nations aviation organisation, United States is entitled to participate in probe as Boeing jetliner was designed and built in US. However, re have been immediate comments from Boeing. US National Transportation Safety Board said on January 9 that it will join probe into Ukrainian Boeing airliner crash in Iran. NTSB said that it h received a 'formal tification' from Aircraft Accident Investigation Board of Civil Aviation Organisation of Iran. 

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