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Evidence suggests Iran missile shot down Ukrainian plane - PM Iran plane crash: Evidence suggests Iran missile shot down Ukrainian plane - PM
(32 minutes later)
New information suggests an Iranian surface-to-air missile brought down a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed near Tehran, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. There is a "body of information" to suggest an Iranian surface-to-air missile brought down a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed near Tehran, PM Boris Johnson has said.
Four Britons were among the 176 people who died in the crash shortly after take-off on Wednesday, the PM said. Four Britons were among the 176 people who died in the crash shortly after take-off on Wednesday, the PM added.
He added there was now "a body of information that the flight was shot down" by an Iranian missile. Mr Johnson said information suggests the plane was shot down but "this may well have been unintentional".
"This may well have been unintentional," Mr Johnson added. Iran dismissed the suggestions it was to blame as "US propaganda".
Iran has ruled out a missile strike by its air defences as the cause of the crash, which came just hours after it carried out missile strikes on two airbases housing US forces in Iraq. The crash came just hours after Iran carried out missile strikes on two airbases housing US forces in Iraq.
The air strikes were in retaliation for the US killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.The air strikes were in retaliation for the US killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
Mr Johnson added in a statement that the UK government was working closely with Canada and other international partners affected by the crash and that "there now needs to be a full, transparent investigation". It was previously reported that three British nationals - including two engineers and an owner of a local dry cleaning business - had died in the plane crash.
No 10 confirmed a fourth was also on board.
In a statement on Thursday, Mr Johnson said the UK government was working closely with Canada and other international partners affected by the crash and that "there now needs to be a full, transparent investigation".
"It is vital that there should be an immediate and respectful repatriation of those who've lost their lives to allow their families to grieve properly," he said."It is vital that there should be an immediate and respectful repatriation of those who've lost their lives to allow their families to grieve properly," he said.
"The UK continues to call on all sides urgently to deescalate to reduce tensions in the region.""The UK continues to call on all sides urgently to deescalate to reduce tensions in the region."
It was previously reported that three British nationals had died in the crash. Mr Johnson's comments came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had seen evidence that suggested Iran's missiles brought down the Boeing 737-800 - which was operated by Ukrainian International Airlines on flight PS752.
The PM's comments came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had seen evidence that suggested Iran's missiles brought down the Boeing 737-800 - which was operating Ukrainian International Airlines flight PS752. Mr Trudeau called for a full and thorough investigation into the crash.
An Iranian official has told the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner that reports the plane was shot down by an Iranian missile are "US propaganda".
"Their claim without providing hard evidence to international community is worthless," the official said
"If they have any evidence, they simply can share it with international bodies before making such noise and efforts to shape public opinion for their further acts against Iran."
'Always smiling'
Tributes have been paid to three British men who have already been named as being on board the plane. The fourth British national has not yet been named.
Mohammed Reza Kadkhoda Zadeh, 40, ran a neighbourhood dry cleaners in Hassocks, West Sussex, and had a nine-year-old daughter.
He was described as a hardworking man who was good at his job and loved by staff.
BP engineer Sam Zokaei, 42, from Twickenham, was also among the passengers after being on holiday.
A friend described him as "always smiling and full of positive energy" and who "loved travelling to interesting far out places."
Also killed was PhD student Saeed Tahmasebi, 35, who worked as an engineer for Laing O'Rourke in Dartford.
Last year, Mr Tahmasebi married his Iranian partner, Niloufar Ebrahim, who was also listed as a passenger on the plane.