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Those Behind Ukrainian Plane Crash Must Be Prosecuted: Iran President

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Hassan Rouhani - President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The full text of the statement follows.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,

We belong to Allah and to Him we shall be returned

Dear Iranian nation,

With a heavy heart full of sorrow, I learned hours ago about the findings of the investigation team of the General Staff of the Armed Forces about the crash of the Ukrainian passenger plane.

At a time when we faced threats and intimidation by the aggressive US regime against the Iranian nation after the martyrdom of General Soleimani, and in order to defend the country against possible attacks by the US military, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were on full alert, and unfortunately, human error and shooting by mistake led to a major disaster in which dozens of innocent people lost their lives.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply saddened over this disastrous error, and I, on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, express heartfelt condolences to the families of victims of this painful disaster, and order all pertinent institutions to adopt all necessary measures to compensate and condole with the families.

Moreover, while expressing deep sorrow, I extend condolences on behalf of the Iranian government to the nations, governments and families of non-Iranian victims. The [Iranian] Ministry of Foreign Affairs will offer full consular cooperation in order to identify and return the bodies of victims to their families.

This sorrowful incident is not an issue which can be easily condoned. Complementary investigations should be conducted to identify all causes and all those behind this disaster, and those who caused this unforgivable error must be prosecuted and the results should be announced to the noble Iranian nation and families of victims accordingly.

Also, it is required that necessary measures be adopted to remove the weak points of the country’s air defence systems, so that similar disasters will never ever happen again.

Once again I express condolences to the families of victims of this sorrowful incident and ask God Almighty to forgive the deceased and grant forbearance and divine reward to their families.

Hassan Rouhani
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran Admits Its Air Defence ‘Unintentionally’ Hit Ukrainian Plane

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Says Has Nothing to Hide about Ukrainian Plane Crash

According to the statement, the Ukrainian flight PS572 was approaching a site belonging to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and had taken the shape of a hostile aircraft at that night, when a few hours had just passed since Iran’s missile attacks on a US base in Iraq.

What follows is the full text of the statement released early Saturday:

“To the honourable and revolutionary nation of the Islamic Iran:

Following the tragic crash of a Boeing 737 passenger plane operated by a Ukrainian airline in the early hours of Wednesday, January 8, 2020, and in the middle of [IRGC’s] missile attack on the military base of the criminal US, and considering the possible impact of this military action on the incident, the General Staff of the Armed Forces immediately formed an inspection board composed of technical and operation experts, independent of the country’s Aviation Organization, in order to consider that possibility. The results of nonstop and accurate investigations of the board are as follows:

1- Following the threats made by the president and military commanders of the criminal United States to target many positions inside the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran in case of a reciprocal operation [by Iran], and considering the unprecedented increase in aerial moves in the region, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were at the highest level of standby in order to [be able to] respond to possible threats.

2- In early hours after the missile attack [on US’ Ain al-Assad base in Iraq], the military flights of the US’ terrorist forces had increased around the country. The Iranian defence units received news of witnessing flying targets moving towards Iran’s strategic centres, and then several targets were observed in some [Iranian] radars, which incited further sensitivity at the Air Defence units.

3- Under such sensitive and critical circumstances, the Ukrainian airline’s Flight PS752 took off from Imam Khomeini Airport, and when turning around, it approached a sensitive military site of the IRGC, taking the shape and altitude of a hostile target. In such conditions, due to human error and in an unintentional move, the airplane was hit [by the Air Defence], which caused the martyrdom of a number of our compatriots and the deaths of several foreign nationals.

4- The General Staff of the Armed Forces offers condolences and expresses sympathy with the bereaved families of the Iranian and foreign victims, and apologizes for the human error. It also gives full assurances that it will make major revision in the operational procedures of its armed forces in order to make impossible the recurrence of such errors. It will also immediately hand over the culprits to the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces for prosecution.

5- The relevant authorities at the IRGC were also instructed to appear on state TV and give detailed explanation of the incident as soon as possible.

IRGC Releases Details of Accidental Downing of Ukrainian Plane

Iranian Official Challenges US to Present Findings on Plane Crash

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran, France Finalize Date to Read Black Box of Downed Ukrainian Plane

Speaking at press conference on Friday, Ali Abedzadeh said if the US politicians have really obtained evidence of their claims about the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 plane that crashed near Tehran, they are obligated to make them public through the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO.

“Such announcement must be easily accessible to the world on the websites,” the Iranian official noted.

He also challenged the US authorities to make their findings with “scientific and technical grounds” widely known under the ICAO Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Abedzadeh also explained that any comments about the cause of the accident before the analysis of the doomed plane’s flight recorders would have no basis in fact, adding, “What we are quite definite about and we can declare with confidence is that no missile has hit the plane.”

He said the passenger plane had been flying with a fire for more than 1.5 minutes, and the location of the aircraft indicates that the pilot had decided to return to the airport shortly after takeoff.

The Iranian official also noted that the Ukrainian operator of the flight is responsible to pay the compensation for the accident.

Abedzadeh finally described the crash as a major and deadly accident, saying the investigation could take up to two years and analyzing the flight recorder data would also need one or two months.

On Wednesday morning, a Boeing 737 plane operated by Ukraine International Airlines crashed shortly after takeoff from the Imam Khomeini International Airport in southwest Tehran, killing all 179 people on board, including 147 Iranians.

 

Canadian Delegation Heading to Iran over Plane Crash

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Vows Appropriate Response to US Interception of Mahan Air Flight

“Based on arrangements made between the foreign ministries of Iran and Canada, a 10-member Canadian delegation is heading to Iran in order to deal with the Canadian victims of the regrettable crash of the Ukrainian plane,” Mousavi said on Friday.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will make every effort to facilitate the work of countries whose nationals have been hit by this tragic incident,” the spokesman noted.
“The results of technical investigations will be transparently publicized once completed according to the ICAO regulations and in cooperation with the representatives of Ukraine, Boeing, and supervising experts from other countries affected,” he added.

Iranian, Japanese DMs Discuss US Presence in Region

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran’s DM Vows Firm Response to Enemy’s Moves

In a telephone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, Brigadier General Hatami slammed the US presence in the region as the root cause of tensions and instability.

“In order to resolve the tensions and create stability and security in the region, the American occupier-style and interventionist presence must end as soon as possible,” the Iranian defence minister underlined.

He also denounced the US assassination of top Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani on the soil of another country as a serious and unprecedented crime, adding, “According to a clear resolution of the United Nations Security Council, the US measure is a blatant example of state-sponsored terrorism.”

As the largest littoral country in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea region, Iran has always played its role in ensuring security of the regional waters, the Iranian minister added, noting, “The parties intending to help de-escalate the tensions and create stability in the region must remind the Americans, who are the cause of insecurity in the region, that they should leave the region in order to establish stability and calm.”

Hatami finally called on all independent and free countries in the world to condemn the US government’s terrorist activities.

The Japanese minister of defence, for his part, expressed Japan’s readiness to play a role in de-escalation of tension and establishment of peace and stability in the region.

Kono also reiterated that Japan has decided not to take part in the US-led military coalitions in the region.

Iran Gov’t Urges All Parties Involved to Contribute to Plane Crash Probe

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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“According to international regulations, representatives from the civil aviation agency of the country where the crash has taken place (Iran), the civil aviation agency of the country which has issued the airworthiness certificate (Ukraine), the owner of the airliner (Ukraine International Airlines), the aircraft manufacturer (Boeing Co.), and the jet engine manufacturer (CFM International) can participate in the investigation process,” Ali Rabiei, spokesman for the Iranian administration, said in a statement released early on Friday.

“A delegate from Ukraine is already in Iran. We call upon Boeing Co. to dispatch its own representative to participate in the process of reading the black box data,” he added.

“We also welcome the participation of all countries which have lost their nationals in the mishap,” the statement added.

Rabiei then roundly dismissed the Pentagon’s allegations that missiles downed the Ukrainian jet, saying, “No one will assume responsibility for such a big lie once it is known that the claim had been fraudulent.”

“It is unfortunate that the psychological operation of the US government, and those supporting it knowingly and unknowingly, are adding insult to the injury of the bereaved families and victimizing them for certain goals by propagating such fallacies,” the senior Iranian official pointed out.

Iran Invites Ukraine, Boeing to Take Part in Plane Crash Probe

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

In a statement on Thursday night, the Foreign Ministry spokesman dismissed the suspicious speculation that the Western media sources have raised about the crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane in Iran.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has begun investigation into the cause of this plane crash in accordance with the international standards and the ICAO’s (International Civil Aviation Organization’s) criteria, and has invited Ukraine, as the owner of the plane, and the Boeing company, as the plane manufacturer, to take part in the investigation,” he explained.

Mousavi once again offered condolences to the families of victims of the plane crash, adding, “The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the presence of experts from the countries whose nationals have been killed in the tragic incident, and requests the Canadian prime minister and any other government with information about this issue to give the information to the committee investigating the incident in Iran.”

Iran Eyes South African Support against US Acts of State Terrorism

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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US Imperialism More Perilous than Coronavirus: Rouhani

Many threatening issues in the Middle East are rooted in the illegal sanctions imposed by the US, President Rouhani said in a telephone conversation with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday.

“We hope that all friendly countries would force the US to respect the law by adopting appropriate stances on this illegal measure,” the Iranian president added.

Highlighting the significance of the other countries’ stances on the unfair American assassination of General Soleimani, President Rouhani said, “We must make it clear for the Americans that the world does not approve of their criminal measures.”

Paying tribute to General Soleimani for his constant fight against terrorism, particularly against ISIS, over the past recent years, President Rouhani said the US crime has promoted the unity and solidarity of the Iranian nation against aggressive countries.

He further hailed South Africa as a friend and supporter of Iran, adding, “Our people have always had a friendly view about the people of South Africa, particularly during the era of anti-apartheid struggle.”

“There has been always very good cooperation between us and the South African government at the international organizations, and I hope that we would once again have a united voice in the international circles in condemnation of such (American) act of state terrorism,” President Rouhani noted.

He finally pointed to a meeting of Joint Economic Commission of Iran and South Africa, expressing hope that the foreign ministers of the two countries would push for the implementation of the bilateral agreements and that the ties would grow in various political, economic, cultural and scientific spheres.

In turn, President Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the Iranian government and nation over the martyrdom of General Soleimani, slammed his assassination as a cowardly move, and said, “I was shocked to hear the news of martyrdom of Lt. General Soleimani who was very popular among people, and we strongly condemn this measure.”

He also stressed the need to broaden ties with Iran in all fields, noting that the Joint Economic Commission should promote its activities and work on the bilateral subjects.

Iran’s President Warns US Not to Make New Mistakes

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran and Qatar to form joint working group for South Pars study

In a telephone conversation with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday, President Rouhani said Iran attaches great significance to regional stability and security, stressing that the only way to preserve security of the region is to build up friendship and cooperation among the neighbors and to prevent foreign interference.

He also denounced the US assassination of Iranian commander General Qassem Soleimani as a serious crime, calling on the world countries, particularly the neighbors, to condemn such American crime.

Assassination of General Soleimani, who was a guest of the Iraqi government and people, was a grave insult to Iraq’s sovereignty and a heinous crime against the Iranian nation, the president deplored.

He also hailed the Iraqi Parliament’s admirable move to pass a resolution on the eviction of American forces from the Arab country.

The president further touched on Iran’s military reaction to the US’ terrorist measure, stressing, “If the US intends to respond to our action, it will receive a very immense and dangerous response, and I hope that Americans, whose political life has been always fraught with mistakes, would not make another mistake.”

He also expressed hope that all countries favoring security would take serious action to force the US to respect law and humanity at this delicate juncture.

“Iran will side with the Qatari government and nation against the cruel sanctions like the past, and we are willing to further expand ties between the two countries,” President Rouhani concluded.

The Emir of Qatar, for his part, emphasized that Doha will never forget the Iranian government and nation’s support at the time of sanctions, noting, “We are opposed to any creation of tensions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also highlighted the two countries’ great potential for the promotion of ties, saying the capacities must be used to enhance relations in all arenas.

Iran President Urges Efforts to Contain US Policies

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

In a telephone conversation with Italy’s prime minister on Thursday, President Rouhani and Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte discussed the most important issues pertaining to the bilateral, regional and international developments.

The two heads of state also highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between the Iranian and Italian nations, and stressed the need to use the two countries’ capacities to enhance the mutual ties and strengthen regional peace and security.

Responding to the Italian prime minister’s expression of sympathy over the recent incidents in Iran, President Rouhani slammed the US government’s terrorist activities as a serious threat to regional security, and noted that the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani was caused by the American anger at the Iranian commander’s fight against terrorism and ISIS in the region.

“The regional nations are exasperated with the US measures, and we must all try to contain the tensions created and the strategic mistakes made by the perverse US government which result from its lack of knowledge, and to commit that country to the framework of law,” the Iranian president added.

President Rouhani also called on the European Union to adopt independent polices on the major regional issues, stressing, “Security in the region would be impossible unless everyone respects the law and tries to prevent a repetition of such crimes across the world.”

Pointing to the mutual cooperation between Iran and the European states, including Italy, on the major regional issues, the president said, “The European Union has a heavy responsibility regarding the global issues, and it must try to strengthen peace and stability in the region and the world, independent of the US’ wrong polices, and by adopting correct stances; and undoubtedly Tehran will stand by the union under such conditions.”

The regional problems must be resolved by the regional states, President Rouhani underlined, saying the Iraqi Parliament’s resolution on the expulsion of American forces from the Arab country was a “clear and decisive response” to the US interference and terrorist measure.

For his part, Conte said the Italian government understands the great Iranian nation’s anger and grief at the assassination of General Soleimani, and called for collective efforts to reduce the regional tensions.

“Italy will do its utmost to reduce the tensions and strengthen peace and stability in the region,” he noted.

The Italian premier also highlighted the significance of the JCPOA, and stressed the need to save the international agreement despite the US obstructionism.

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