Ukraine issues stern statement & lists demands as Iran admits it shot down jet killing 176

Hours after Iran mitted that it h shot down Ukranian jet on January 8, amid tensions with United States, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Iran must issue an official apology. This comes after Iran's military on state television said that incident happened due to "human error."

Zelensky, in a strongly-worded statement, ded that Iran has to prosecute those responsible for action, return bodies of des and will have to pay compensation. Earlier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, taking to Twitter, has said that it is an "unforgivable mistake." He also said that "investigation on this great trdy continues."

Zelensky has said: " morning brought truth. Ukraine insists on full mission of guilt. We expect Iran to prosecute, return bodies of de, pay compensation, and make official apologies. investigation should be complete, open and ongoing without delay or obstruction.

But we insist on a full mission of guilt. We expect Iran to conduct a full and open investigation, bring those responsible to justice, return bodies of deceased, pay compensation and issue official apologies through diplomatic channels.

We hope that investigation will continue without artificial delays and obstacles. Our 45 professionals need full access and engment to establish justice."

Re  full statement by Iran's military issued on state TV, here 

Iran's mission

A military statement carried by state media said that plane was mistaken for a “hostile target” after it turned toward a “sensitive military center” of Revolutionary Guard. “ military was at its highest level of reiness amid heightened tensions with US. In such a condition, because of human error and in an unintentional way, flight was hit.” It apologised for disaster and said it would upgre its systems to prevent such mistakes in future. responsible parties would be referred to a judicial department within military and held accountably, military said. 

Rouhani's full statement 

ble people of Iran
With utmost regret and sorrow, hours ago I was informed of outcome of General Staff of Armed Forces’ investigation into Ukrainian passenger plane crash. In atmosphere of threats and intimidation by aggressive American regime against Iranian nation after martyrdom of General Qasem Soleimani, and in order to defend ourselves against possible attacks by American Army, Armed Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran were on full alert, which unfortunately led to this terrible catastrophe taking lives of dozens of incent people because of human error and mistaken shooting.

Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply sorry by this disastrous mistake, and I extend my deepest condolences to families of victims of this tragic incident on behalf of Islamic Republic of Iran, and instruct all related organs to take all necessary measures to compensate and sympathise with bereaved families. I also express my deep condolences and sympathy of Iranian government to nations, governments and families of n-Iranian victims. Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be in full consular cooperation to identify and return bodies of victims to ir families.

This painful accident is t something that can be easily overlooked. Furr investigation is needed to identify all causes and roots of this trdy and prosecute perpetrators of this unforgivable mistake and inform hourable people of Iran and families of victims about it.

It is also necessary to opt required arrangements and measures to dress weaknesses of country's defence systems to make sure such a disaster is never repeated.

Again, I extend my condolences to families of victims of this painful accident, praying for those who lost ir lives and wishing ir bereaved families patience and rewards.

Full Statement: Iran says it 'unintentionally' shot down Ukraine jet amid tensions with US

Ukrainian aircraft shot down

A Ukrainian aircraft with at least 176 people aboard crashed on January 8 due to technical glitches just after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport, according to Iranian media reports. As per reports, all 176 passengers on board PS752 airliner h died. A spokesperson for Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation, Reza Jafarzeh h told media that rescue teams were immediately sent to spot near airport where aircraft belonging to Ukraine International Airlines crashed but y could t assist since place was ablaze.

Ukraine International Airlines plane crashes in Tehran; all 176 aboard de

According to media reports citing Ali Kashani, a senior public relations official at airport, plane was heing towards Kiev and h 167 passengers and nine crew on board. Boeing 737 took off early Wednesday morning. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Facebook post that he would cancel rest of his trip to Oman and would return to Kiev due to crash.

This came amid escalating tensions between US and Iran after US airstrike killed Iran's second most important person - commander of Quds Force of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Qasem Soleimani. While Iran vowed to take "revenge", and shot a missile at US airbase in Iraq, US President Donald said that Iran and US can work toger for world peace, pointing ISIS as a common enemy. However, on Friday, US imposed new sanctions on Iran. 

'Deeply regret': Iran's Prez Rouhani apologises for military's downing of Ukrainian jet