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https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/11/middleeast/iran-shot-down-ukrainian-plane/index.html

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(CNN)Anti-government protesters took to the streets of Iran Saturday after Tehran admitted that it mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing 176 people.

Thousands gathered outside the gates of Amir Kabir University, near the former US embassy in Tehran, to denounce the plane crash the government blamed on human error and "US adventurism."

Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed Wednesday after takeoff from Tehran's airport. The crash came hours after Iran fired missiles at Iraqi military bases housing US troops in retaliation for a drone strike at Baghdad airport that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

In video posted on social media, protesters chanted for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down and for those responsible for downing the plane to be prosecuted. "Death to the dictator," some chanted.

 

 

In one video, demonstrators chanted, "Khamenei have shame. Leave the country."

A mass vigil commemorating the victims of the doomed flight escalated into an angry demonstration following the government admission, according to Iran's semiofficial FARS News Agency. University graduates migrating to Canada were among those who perished in the crash.

FARS reported that Iranian police dispersed students who entered and blocked main roads.

Their anger was fueled in large part by the nation's armed forces claim that it targeted the passenger plane unintentionally. It attributed the crash to radar activity and fear of US action.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families," President Hassan Rouhani said.

After the missile operation in Iraq, US military flights around Iranian borders increased and Iranian military officials reported seeing aerial targets coming toward strategic centers, according to a statement by Iranian armed forces headquarters.

"The aircraft came close to a sensitive IRGC military center at an altitude and flight condition that resembled hostile targeting. Under these circumstances, the aircraft was unintentionally hit, which unfortunately resulted in death of the many Iranian and foreign nationals," the statement reads.

The victims include 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals.

"Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted.

 

People stand near the wreckage after a Ukrainian plane carrying 176 passengers crashed near Imam Khomeini airport.

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force said he had requested all commercial flights in Iran be grounded until tensions cooled off.

But the Armed Forces and government and aviation authorities chose not to do so, Brigadier-General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh said at a news conference.

Hajizadeh said the plane was misidentified as a cruise missile by an air defense operator.

The operator was unable to contact the central air defense command to confirm it. He had 10 seconds to choose between shooting it down or not, Hajizadeh said.

Hajizadeh accepted responsibility, saying that once it became clear what had happened, he thought: "I wish I was dead."

Those responsible will be prosecuted

The Ukrainian General Prosecutor's office said in a statement it was now investigating the incident as a possible case of "willful killing and aircraft destruction."

The downing of the plane was being handled as a case of "violation of traffic safety rules" and "operation of air transport resulting in death" but prosecutors said Iran's admission changed the scope to "liability for the willful killing of two or more people and the destruction of the aircraft," the statement said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Iran's admission a "step in the right direction" via Twitter.

"I insist on immediately completing identification of the bodies and their return to Ukraine," Zelensky wrote after a call with Rouhani.

"The perpetrators must be held accountable. We look forward to further legal and technical cooperation," added Zelensky, who had earlier made a call for Iran to pay compensation.

Rouhani apologized to the Ukrainian people and promised to hold those responsible "accountable," according to the readout of the conversation.

"The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran fully acknowledges that the tragedy was due to the erroneous actions of the military of this state, " according to the readout.

Rouhani in a statement released by his office earlier Saturday echoed those sentiments.

"Further investigation is needed to identify all the causes and roots of this tragedy and prosecute the perpetrators of this unforgivable mistake and inform the honorable people of Iran and the families of the victims about it," Rouhani said.

"It is also necessary to adopt the required arrangements and measures to address the weaknesses of the country's defense systems to make sure such a disaster is never repeated," he added.

Iran concedes the 'big lie' is true

Iran had previously denied US claims that the country had struck down the plane accidentally.

A US official familiar with the intelligence said the aircraft was downed by two Russian-made SA-15 surface-to-air missiles. The US saw Iranian radar signals lock onto the jetliner before it was shot down.

"No one will assume responsibility for such a big lie once it is known that the claim had been fraudulent," government spokesman Ali Rabiei said in a statement earlier Friday, according to state-run Press TV.

Iranian authorities are in possession of the two flight data recorders, also known as black boxes, which Ukrainian investigators got access to Friday. They have yet to start examining the information, but have said it included communications between the pilot and Tehran flight control.

 

The Canadian government was waiting for Iran to issue 10 visas to give its representatives access to the accident site, Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said late Friday.

Two members of Canada's Transportation Safety Board and 10 Global Affairs officials were waiting in Ankara, Turkey, for the documents.

Three visas were issued for members of Canada's Standing Rapid Deployment Team (SRDT), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters.

 

Justin Trudeau toughens his stand on the world stage as he demands justice over plane downed by Iran

The SRDT is a unit of specialized officials deployed to work with Canada's embassies and consulates abroad in providing critical services to Canadians during emergencies, according to the Canadian government. They were expected to arrive in Tehran on Saturday.

Rouhani told Trudeau he was committed "to collaborate, to give closure to the victims, deescalate tensions in the region and continue this dialogue," the Canadian Prime Minister said.

"What Iran has admitted to is very serious," Trudeau said. "Canada will not rest until we get the accountability, justice, and closure that the families deserve."

Trudeau said "conflict and tension" between the US and Iran "contributed" to the downing of flight PS 752.

World leaders from Germany to the United Kingdom and the United States condemned Iran.

US President Donald Trump tweeted that his administration will continue to stand with the "brave, long-suffering people of Iran."

"We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage," Trump tweeted.

[Zambroski]

Are these people crazy?  Didn't the precious and peaceful, very cosmopolitan Iranian government kill like 2000 protesters over the last few weeks?  DAYAM!   

I'll just continue to watch CNN and the rest of the foddering fools showing them burning the American flag.  How can I not enjoy that while TDS is being ramped up to another level...of hopelessness....because they are so fucking pathetic and stupid.

 

 

[Woodtick]

Young eyerainions are eyerans government’s biggest enemy. Those young ones love them some USA. 

[spin_dry]

Young Iranians are pissed off because the mullahs didn’t kill any Americans But instead killed Iranians. They want someone in there that’ll do it right. 

[Zambroski]

Just now, Woodtick said:

Young eyerainions are eyerans government’s biggest enemy. Those young ones love them some USA. 

Yep.  The youth in that entire infested area loves the fuck out of us being there.  That's why the Mullahs hate us so much.

[Zambroski]

Just now, spin_dry said:

Young Iranians are pissed off because the mullahs didn’t kill any Americans But instead killed Iranians. They want someone in there that’ll do it right. 

Is your hip affecting your brain?  It appears they are in closer proximity than they are supposed to be.  Right around the corner!   

[spin_dry]

2 minutes ago, Zambroski said:

Is your hip affecting your brain?  It appears they are in closer proximity than they are supposed to be.  Right around the corner!   

Iranians wanted some retribution for the general’s death. He was a national hero in Iran. Unlike the US, Iran had numerous attacks within its borders from Isis. People were freaked out by that group. Despite what some dipshits here say, the Iranians viewed him as a protector from Isis. 

[Zambroski]

Just now, spin_dry said:

Iranians wanted some retribution for the general’s death. He was a national hero in Iran. Unlike the US, Iran had numerous attacks within its borders from Isis. People were freaked out by that group. Despite what some dipshits here say, the Iranians viewed him as a protector from Isis. 

He was seen as a national treasure by all Iranians.  -CNN reports.

[spin_dry]

2 minutes ago, Zambroski said:

He was seen as a national treasure by all Iranians.  -CNN reports.

Like how you see trump. A national treasure.  

[Zambroski]

Just now, spin_dry said:

Like how you see trump. A national treasure.  

Not even close.  He is a nice part of the cure though.   

THANKS OBAMA!

[irv]

51 minutes ago, spin_dry said:

Iranians wanted some retribution for the general’s death. He was a national hero in Iran. Unlike the US, Iran had numerous attacks within its borders from Isis. People were freaked out by that group. Despite what some dipshits here say, the Iranians viewed him as a protector from Isis. 

A National hero? 

The assassinations of Soleimani and al-Muhandis gave some Middle East residents a sense of relief that they have finally been rid of two militia commanders who have brought much suffering to their communities.

 

The debate around Soleimani and al-Muhandis' assassinations has served to illustrate, once again, the inconsistent perception by a segment of the "progressive" left of what constitutes "imperialism". They readily brand US and Israeli actions as imperialist; yet aggression by others - whether Russia, China, Iran or their allies - which causes equal damage and civilian deaths, is ignored, downplayed, or wrapped in "anti-terror" narratives (rather similar to the ones the US and Israel use).

Thus, US and Israeli attacks on the Iranian forces or the Assad regime have been decried as acts of imperialism while the mass killings of Syrian civilians by occupying powers Iran and Russia have been ignored, questioned or presented as "terrorist" deaths.

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/soleimani-anti-imperialist-hero-200105211451136.html