Date: 2025-07-02 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00018076
The Trump Presidency
In the fog of war
In Stunning Reversal, Iran Admits Accidentally Shooting Down Ukrainian Passenger Jet
I am really upset about the downing of the Ukraine airliner in Iran. Things like this happen in the fog of war, and much less often when peace prevails. The US has had a belligerent foreign policy in all of my adult lifetime, and has accomplished rather little with all its military hardware, bluster and bravado. The root cause of this crash was the growing destabilization of the Middle East at the hands of the USA and expecially the Trump administration. I respect the military, and their role in defense of the nation. The military is not fit for purpose when it comes to building peace.
Peter Burgess
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.”
Hassan Rouhani ✔ @HassanRouhani
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. https://twitter.com/HassanRouhani/status/1215856039997984768 …
Hassan Rouhani ✔ @HassanRouhani
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. Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake. #PS752 10.5K 11:43 PM - Jan 10, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 6,845 people are talking about this
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.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif blamed “human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism” for the disaster.
Javad Zarif ✔ @JZarif
A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces: Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations. 💔
26.7K 11:05 PM - Jan 10, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 26K people are talking about this
Military officials will elaborate on the crash on state media on Saturday. There has been no response from The White House yet.