Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Iran says its military shot down Ukrainian plane in ‘disastrous mistake’
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran said on Saturday its military had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 aboard, saying air defenses were fired in error while on alert in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq.
Foreign governments condemned the action, with Ukraine demanding compensation and a U.S. official called the downing reckless, although Britain said Tehran’s admission was an important first step and urged a de-escalation in tensions.
Iran had denied for days after Wednesday’s crash that it brought down the plane, although a top Revolutionary Guards commander said on Saturday that he had informed the authorities about the unintentional missile strike the same day it happened.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who until Saturday had kept silent about the crash, said information should be made public, while top officials and the military issued apologies.
READ MORE HERE >> https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-crash/iran-says-military-shot-down-plane-in-error-after-denial-drew-scrutiny-abroad-idUSKCN1ZA04Y