Ukraine PM says envoys working with Iran on plane crash

Ukrainian envoys are working at the site of the crash of a passenger jet outside Tehran on Wednesday, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said.

A Ukrainian passenger jet carrying 176 people crashed, just minutes after taking off from the Iranian capital's main airport, turning farmland on the outskirts of Tehran into fields of flaming debris and killing all on board.

Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the 3½-year-old Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Ukrainian officials initially agreed, but later backed away and declined to offer a cause while the investigation is ongoing.

The plane was carrying 167 passengers and nine crew members from different nations.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy extended his condolences to the families of the victims.