Protesters Take to the Streets after Iran Admits Shooting Down Ukrainian Jet

Iranian protesters took to the streets of Tehran on Sunday for a second day, after Iran admitted that it unintentionally shot down flight PS752 of Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) on January 8, killing 176 people on board.

 The Kiev-bound plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday said it had accidentally shot down the UIA jet it mistook for a cruise missile, sparking international condemnation and protests in Tehran.

“Armed Forces’ internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane and death of 176 innocent people. Investigations continue to identify and prosecute this great tragedy and unforgivable mistake,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a statement posted on social media.

US President Donald Trump expressed his support to the protesters. “We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage,” he said in a tweet posted in Farsi and English on Saturday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that “Iran’s admission is an important step towards providing answers for families. But a full and complete investigation must be conducted.”

Many Canadians were among the 176 people killed.

Furthermore, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced his government would make payments to the families of each of those who died in the crash.

“The government will provide financial assistance to the families of the victims. The state will also assist them in receiving compensation from the carrier, insurance companies and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine International Airlines said it had never had the slightest doubt the cause of the tragic accident with PS752 Tehran – Kyiv flight was unrelated to the operation or technical condition of the aircraft.

During a press conference on Saturday, the carrier said that safety had always been its top priority.

Ukraine International Airlines also presented visual evidence that on January 8, Flight PS752 used a routine takeoff heading similar to those used by the UIA aircraft for months and other carriers’ aircraft operating flights from Tehran International Airport that day.

The UIA representatives have joined the investigation team working at the site of the crash.