Alex Christoforou
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif blamed “human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism” for the disaster…
After multiple denials, and demands for proof from foreign entities – accusing them of spreading “psychological warfare” lies, President Hassan Rouhani has admitted Iran accidentally shot down the Ukrainian jetliner that took off from Tehran’s international airport amid this week’s tensions.
In a pair of tweets, Rouhani admitted that “Armed Forces’ internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people,” adding that “The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake.”
The army said Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was flying close to a sensitive Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps military site when it was downed because of “human error,” adding that the “culprits” would be identified and referred to judicial authorities.
“Iran’s armed forces went on high alert following U.S. threats to target Iranian sites,” the army said in the statement.
“Under such highly sensitive and critical circumstances, the Boeing Flight 752 flew close to a sensitive IRGC military site at an altitude and angle that made it appear as a hostile target. The plane was hit due to human error and unintentionally.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Rouhani arranged for “compensation” payments to the victims’ families, and ordered reforms of the country’s air defense system to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Iran will reportedly send the black boxes of the crashed jet to France as it lacks the technology to decode them, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
In view of the previous strong denials and now the about face, you have to wonder if the IRGC originally lied to their own leaders about what happened.
Appears they did.
Sh_t happens. At least they came clean within days, not months like with the Vincennes, kicking and screaming “We’ll never apologize”, all the way.
As a side note, I find it fascinating that Ukraine has a strange inclination to direct civilian air traffic through war zones. It’s as if they’re genetically predisposed to it.
The USS Vincennes shot the Iranian plane down deliberately – murdered 290 souls – to provoke Iran to attack the US-Navy vessel, but they didn’t take the bait and avoided the trap, the reason was simply their proxy war against Iran carried out by their man Saddam just failed big time. The commander of the USS Vincennes was awarded for the act of terrorism + massmurder, and the US didn’t has something like honor decency spine or balls to settle it like human beeings just as cowards like they always are.
Bush also stated that he would never apologise as it was not in his vocabulary.
There were a few comments on another site (South Front) that triggered my curiousity and no idea whether true or not.
They stated the Ukraine aircraft was the only one to fly and the planes were advised not to fly, but, they could not prevent the pilots from flying, if they so wished. Otherwise they would be guilty of holding them hostage. Also, the flight had changed it’s flightpath.
Have no idea if that is the case, but, would love to know if it is true.
Iran admits responsiblity: does anyone imagine the Yanks, Israel, UK, France or their minions would do the same if they had been responsible?
Not in a million years – Period
I’m glad they had the guts to admit it.
Still, I wonder when all the Stinger missiles that Hillary gave ISIS will start showing up.
While only five comments to-date I find it refreshing that no one is just piling on Iran for the sake of it. Yes it was a tragedy and mistakes do happen, it’s not like Iran did it on purpose. After all there were 80+ Iranians on that plane. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that unlike this accident the US purposely and cowardly murdered an Iranian General against International law and did so in someone else’s country. As someone noted below, it shows a mark of character to admit a mistake, especially such a highly visible one. One never… Read more »
I know I feel seriously sorry for Iran and all that she is going through at the moment. Plus, have full respect for them owning up, which not many nations do.