Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a statement following Iran's admission that it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane.
"This morning was not a good one but it brought the truth. Even before the International Commission could finish its work, Iran admitted to shooting down the Ukrainian plane.
But we insist on a full admission of guilt. We expect Iran to conduct a full and open investigation, bring those responsible to justice, return the bodies of the deceased, pay compensation and issue official apologies through diplomatic channels.
We hope that the investigation will continue without artificial delays and obstacles. Our 45 professionals need full access and engagement to establish justice."
"Numerous defense centers around the country reported seeing increased activity on radar which caused a heightened sensitivity in the aerial defense centers of the country."
After the Ukrainian airliner took off from Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran, it flew close to a sensitive military site "at an altitude and a condition of a flight that resembled (a) hostile target," the statement added.
Some experts have criticized Iran for not closing off civilian airspace after launching missiles to prevent this type of incident.
"Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," he said.
After sending a tweet Saturday morning acknowledging the Ukraine International Airlines flight that crashed this week was shot down, Iran President Hassan Rouhani has released a lengthy statement, calling the incident a "terrible catastrophe."
Noble people of Iran
With the utmost regret and sorrow, hours ago I was informed of the outcome of the General Staff of the Armed Forces’ investigation into the Ukrainian passenger plane crash. In the atmosphere of threats and intimidation by the aggressive American regime against the Iranian nation after the martyrdom of General Qasem Soleimani, and in order to defend ourselves against possible attacks by the American Army, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were on full alert, which unfortunately led to this terrible catastrophe taking the lives of dozens of innocent people because of human error and mistaken shooting.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply sorry by this disastrous mistake, and I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic incident on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and instruct all related organs to take all necessary measures to compensate and sympathise with the bereaved families. I also express my deep condolences and sympathy of the Iranian government to the nations, governments and families of non-Iranian victims. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be in full consular cooperation to identify and return the bodies of victims to their families.
This painful accident is not something that can be easily overlooked. 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 honourable people of Iran and the families of the victims about it.
It is also necessary to adopt the required arrangements and measures to address the weaknesses of the country's defence systems to make sure such a disaster is never repeated.
Again, I extend my condolences to the families of the victims of this painful accident, praying for those who lost their lives and wishing their bereaved families patience and rewards.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government expects the "full cooperation" of Iranian authorities in investigating the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.
Fifty-seven of the 176 people who were killed were Canadian nationals. Nearly 140 passengers on board were scheduled to take a connecting flight from Kiev to Canada.
“Tonight, Iran acknowledged that Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by its own armed forces.
Our focus remains closure, accountability, transparency, and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims. This is a national tragedy, and all Canadians are mourning together.
We will continue working with our partners around the world to ensure a complete and thorough investigation, and the Canadian government expects full cooperation from Iranian authorities.”
The Ukraine International Airlines flight that was mistakenly shot down appeared to be flying "a very common path to leave the airport," according to CNN's Fred Pleitgen, who is on the ground in Tehran.
"I've flown out of Imam Khomeini Airport I think 16 or 17 times. And pretty much every time we took almost that exact flight path," Pleitgen said.
Data appeared to show several flights that had taken off from the airport before the Ukrainian flight using the same flight path.
However, the Iranians said it was more than just the flight path that factored into the decision-making that ultimately resulted in the plane being accidentally shot down.
The Iranian Armed Forces said in a statement Saturday that the airliner was flying close to a sensitive military center at an altitude and flight condition that resembled hostile targeting when it was shot down.
Here's what retired Maj. Gen. James Marks said:
"You have a very hot, contested, busy airspace over Iran," Marks said. "Everybody is on a heightened level of alert, concern, there's a lot of chaos. And they have commercial flights still leaving the Tehran airport, which I think is just amazingly irresponsible."
David Soucie, a former inspector with the FAA, agreed and said the passengers likely had no idea the plane was being flown "right into a war zone"
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday that the investigation of Iran’s Armed Forces has concluded that missiles fired "due to human error" caused the crash of the Ukrainian plane.
"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," Rouhani said on his official Twitter account.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences," he added.
Hours after the missile operation in Iraq, US military flights around the borders of Iran increased and Iranian military officials reported seeing aerial targets that were coming towards Iran’s strategic centers, according to a statement released by Iranian Armed Forces Headquarters.
Numerous defense centers around Iran reported seeing increased radar activity which caused a heightened sensitivity in the aerial defense centers of the country, the statement added.
Under such sensitive and crucial conditions, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 took off from Imam Khomeini Airport and while in rotation, the aircraft came close to a sensitive IRGC military center at an altitude and flight condition that resembled hostile targeting.
Due to these circumstances, the aircraft was unintentionally hit, which unfortunately resulted in death of the many Iranian and foreign nationals, the statement said.