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Iran plane crash: Ukraine's president calls on US and allies to share evidence – live Iran plane crash: Ukraine's president calls on US and allies to share evidence – live
(about 1 hour later)
Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss investigation with US secretary of state Mike PompeoVolodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss investigation with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo
The head of Iran’s Civil Aviation body has told reporters that authorities examining the contents of the Flight 752’s black box today at a laboratory at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport.
The will attempt to assess whether it is possible to reconstruct and analyse the information inside the country, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency.
A British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran has had panic attacks since tensions between the country and the US escalated, her husband has said.
Richard Ratcliffe said the fallout from Donald Trump’s assassination of the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was taking a toll on the mental health of his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been detained since 2016 after she was arrested on espionage charges and jailed for five years.
She is among up to five people with dual British-Iranian nationality, or with UK connections, believed to be in prison in Iran. Their families have said they are being held as collateral and that the heightened tensions have made it harder to secure their release.
Iraq’s top Shi’ite Muslim cleric has condemned mutual US and Iranian attacks on Iraqi soil and warned of deteriorating security in the country and wider region as a result of Washington’s standoff with Tehran.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said the attacks were a violation of sovereignty and that no foreign powers should be allowed to decide Iraq’s fate.
Sistani delivered his message through a representative who spoke at Friday prayer in the holy city of Kerbala, Reuters reported.
“The use of over-the-top methods by different sides which possess power and influence ... will only entrench the crisis and prevent a solution,” the representative said.“The latest dangerous aggressive acts, which are repeated violations of Iraqi sovereignty, are a part of the deteriorating situation” in the region, he said
Canada is ‘paying for past decisions’ - namely a decision by Canada’s previous Conservative administration to sever ties with Tehran and upheld by Justin Trudeau’s government - asserts a piece in the Toronto Star.Canada is ‘paying for past decisions’ - namely a decision by Canada’s previous Conservative administration to sever ties with Tehran and upheld by Justin Trudeau’s government - asserts a piece in the Toronto Star.
Like other news outlets in Canada, which was the end destination of 138 people on the Ukraine International Airlines flight, the Star leads with developments including the news that Canada’s federal transportation safety agency has accepted an invitation from Iran to send officials to the site.Like other news outlets in Canada, which was the end destination of 138 people on the Ukraine International Airlines flight, the Star leads with developments including the news that Canada’s federal transportation safety agency has accepted an invitation from Iran to send officials to the site.
But the newspaper adds that without an official relationship, Canada must rely on Italy to secure applications and co-ordinate diplomacy with Tehran.But the newspaper adds that without an official relationship, Canada must rely on Italy to secure applications and co-ordinate diplomacy with Tehran.
The perception that the threat of war in the middle east has receded caused oil to slip towards $65 a barrel today as investors also focused on rising US inventories.The perception that the threat of war in the middle east has receded caused oil to slip towards $65 a barrel today as investors also focused on rising US inventories.
Crude is now below where it was before a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani on January 3.Crude is now below where it was before a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani on January 3.
For more on that, my colleague Kalyeena Makortoff is running a business liveblog here.For more on that, my colleague Kalyeena Makortoff is running a business liveblog here.
France’s BEA air accident agency has said it would be involved in the investigation into a Ukrainian airliner crash in Iran.France’s BEA air accident agency has said it would be involved in the investigation into a Ukrainian airliner crash in Iran.
“We have been notified of the event by Iran and we have designated an accredited representative to the safety investigation,” a BEA spokesman said.“We have been notified of the event by Iran and we have designated an accredited representative to the safety investigation,” a BEA spokesman said.
“No further assistance has been requested at this point in time”, he added.“No further assistance has been requested at this point in time”, he added.
Airstrikes carried out by unidentified planes in the Syrian province of Deir Ezzor overnight killed at least eight members of an Iranian-backed militia, according to monitors.Airstrikes carried out by unidentified planes in the Syrian province of Deir Ezzor overnight killed at least eight members of an Iranian-backed militia, according to monitors.
Several planes targeted positions belonging to the Iraqi Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary group in Bukamal, near the border with Iraq, in the early hours of Friday, both local media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.Several planes targeted positions belonging to the Iraqi Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary group in Bukamal, near the border with Iraq, in the early hours of Friday, both local media and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The attack, which occurs against the backdrop of soaring tensions across the region between the US and Iran, was most likely carried out by Israel, Iraqi officials said, without offering evidence.The attack, which occurs against the backdrop of soaring tensions across the region between the US and Iran, was most likely carried out by Israel, Iraqi officials said, without offering evidence.
Israel regularly carries out airstrikes inside Syria targeting Iranian assets but does not normally comment on its military activity in the neighbouring nine-year-old civil war.Israel regularly carries out airstrikes inside Syria targeting Iranian assets but does not normally comment on its military activity in the neighbouring nine-year-old civil war.
The same area was also targeted by the US on 29 December in strikes which killed 25 members of a pro-Iran Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah in retaliation for a rocket attack on a military base in Iraq that killed a US military contractor as tensions escalated between Washington and Tehran over the last two weeks.The same area was also targeted by the US on 29 December in strikes which killed 25 members of a pro-Iran Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah in retaliation for a rocket attack on a military base in Iraq that killed a US military contractor as tensions escalated between Washington and Tehran over the last two weeks.
Weapons depots and vehicles were targeted, causing several huge explosions, the UK-based Observatory said. Deir Ezzor 24 and Sound and Pictures, activist collectives in the area, also said the planes had struck trucks carrying weapons and depots for ballistic missiles near the town.Weapons depots and vehicles were targeted, causing several huge explosions, the UK-based Observatory said. Deir Ezzor 24 and Sound and Pictures, activist collectives in the area, also said the planes had struck trucks carrying weapons and depots for ballistic missiles near the town.
The area struck Friday is a key land corridor for Tehran that links Iran across Iraq and Syria through Lebanon.The area struck Friday is a key land corridor for Tehran that links Iran across Iraq and Syria through Lebanon.
Britain’s ambassador to Iran has been on Twitter pointing out that UK travel advice to Iran has changed and all British nationals are advised against all travel there.Britain’s ambassador to Iran has been on Twitter pointing out that UK travel advice to Iran has changed and all British nationals are advised against all travel there.
The advice adds: “If you’re in Iran, you should review your departure options and consider leaving the country.”The advice adds: “If you’re in Iran, you should review your departure options and consider leaving the country.”
In Germany, Lufthansa has confirmed that one of its flight to Tehran was ordered yesterday to turn back to Germany, amid security concerns, after the emergence of the missile attack allegations.In Germany, Lufthansa has confirmed that one of its flight to Tehran was ordered yesterday to turn back to Germany, amid security concerns, after the emergence of the missile attack allegations.
It followed the airline’s lifting of a flight ban to Tehran-bound aircraft, after one day.It followed the airline’s lifting of a flight ban to Tehran-bound aircraft, after one day.
Iran continues to deny the assessments of western intelligence agencies that its force shot down the Ukrainian passenger jet in the tense early hours on Wednesday morning.Iran continues to deny the assessments of western intelligence agencies that its force shot down the Ukrainian passenger jet in the tense early hours on Wednesday morning.
Ali Abedzadeh, the head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, said overnight: “At the time this plane was in the air, there were several other internal and international flights flying at 8000 feet and the suggestion it was targeted by a missile cannot be correct.”Ali Abedzadeh, the head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, said overnight: “At the time this plane was in the air, there were several other internal and international flights flying at 8000 feet and the suggestion it was targeted by a missile cannot be correct.”
Flight records show there was some domestic traffic around the same time at the Mehrabad Airport, about 35km north-east of Imam Khomeini International airport.Flight records show there was some domestic traffic around the same time at the Mehrabad Airport, about 35km north-east of Imam Khomeini International airport.
Flight records available online show there were no other flights landing or taking off from Imam Khomeini International airport around the same as the Ukrainian plane was in flight.Flight records available online show there were no other flights landing or taking off from Imam Khomeini International airport around the same as the Ukrainian plane was in flight.
Hassan Rezaeifar, the head of the committee that oversees aviation accidents in Iran, said “nowhere in the world” would it be possible to determine the cause of a crash this soon. “Not only haven’t we found evidence to prove the claim [of a missile strike] but we’ve found evidence to reject it,” he said, likely referring to claims by Iranian investigators that the Ukrainian flight attempted to turn around and return to the airport before it went down.Hassan Rezaeifar, the head of the committee that oversees aviation accidents in Iran, said “nowhere in the world” would it be possible to determine the cause of a crash this soon. “Not only haven’t we found evidence to prove the claim [of a missile strike] but we’ve found evidence to reject it,” he said, likely referring to claims by Iranian investigators that the Ukrainian flight attempted to turn around and return to the airport before it went down.
He said he was open to international involvement in the probe, including American, but added - likely in reference to sanctions that prevent US involvement with Iran - that they “should get the authority from their Senate”.He said he was open to international involvement in the probe, including American, but added - likely in reference to sanctions that prevent US involvement with Iran - that they “should get the authority from their Senate”.
The terrible human tragedy at the centre of the incident is laid bare in reports which are detailing how the flight was carrying entire families, university students, and a young couple who had traveled back to Iran for their wedding.The terrible human tragedy at the centre of the incident is laid bare in reports which are detailing how the flight was carrying entire families, university students, and a young couple who had traveled back to Iran for their wedding.
Arash Pourzarabi, 26, and Pouneh Gourji, 25, who were graduate students in computer science at the University of Alberta, had gone to Iran for their wedding, according to Reza Akbari, president of the Iranian Heritage Society of Edmonton.Arash Pourzarabi, 26, and Pouneh Gourji, 25, who were graduate students in computer science at the University of Alberta, had gone to Iran for their wedding, according to Reza Akbari, president of the Iranian Heritage Society of Edmonton.
They were on the plane with four members of their wedding party and 24 other Iranian-Canadians from Edmonton, Akbari said.“Oh God, I can’t believe this,” Akbari told Reuters.They were on the plane with four members of their wedding party and 24 other Iranian-Canadians from Edmonton, Akbari said.“Oh God, I can’t believe this,” Akbari told Reuters.
“It’s shocking to the whole community.”“It’s shocking to the whole community.”
Borna Ghotbi, a close friend of the newlyweds since they were all undergraduates at Tehran’s Sharif University, said their wedding took place three days ago.Borna Ghotbi, a close friend of the newlyweds since they were all undergraduates at Tehran’s Sharif University, said their wedding took place three days ago.
Another couple, Siavash Ghafouri Azar and Sara Mamani, had also just married in Iran, according to a Montreal university professor who taught Azar. The couple, both engineers, had just bought a house in a Montreal suburb.Another couple, Siavash Ghafouri Azar and Sara Mamani, had also just married in Iran, according to a Montreal university professor who taught Azar. The couple, both engineers, had just bought a house in a Montreal suburb.
Negar Mortazavi, Iranian-American journalist, has tweeted this interview with Hamed Esmaeilion, whose wife Parisa and their daughter Reera were killed in the crash.Negar Mortazavi, Iranian-American journalist, has tweeted this interview with Hamed Esmaeilion, whose wife Parisa and their daughter Reera were killed in the crash.
France has said this morning that it is ready to join the investigating into the crash of a Ukrainian airliner.France has said this morning that it is ready to join the investigating into the crash of a Ukrainian airliner.
“It is important that as much clarity as possible is made and as quickly as possible,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was quoted by Reuters as saying.“It is important that as much clarity as possible is made and as quickly as possible,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Last year, the French agency BEA helped analyse data from the flight recorder of a crashed Boeing plane in Ethiopia.Last year, the French agency BEA helped analyse data from the flight recorder of a crashed Boeing plane in Ethiopia.
In a Facebook post this morning the Ukrainian president says he is not ruling out the possibility that the plane which crashed earlier this week in Iran had been hit a by a missile.
“The missile theory is not ruled out, but it has not been confirmed yet,” Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in the post.
Zelenskiy reiterated his call for “all international partners” the U.S., Britain and Canada in particular to share data and evidence relevant to the crash.
The head of Iran’s investigation team into the plane crash has told state television that Tehran will use expert help from Russia, Ukraine, France and Canada if we cannot recover data from the plane’s recorders.
Hassan Rezaeifar said today that recovering the data could take more than one month and the entire investigation into the crash could take more than one year.
He also said the flight had been delayed by about an hour because the pilot decided to unload part of the luggage as the flight was overweight.
It’s believed the US system that detected the missile launches that brought down the Ukrainian passenger jet is the Space Based Infrared System, a network of around ten satellites operated by the US Air Force’s Space Command first launched in 2011.
The Guardian’s Peter Beaumont adds that the system was designed specifically to detect launches of missiles, including missile tests by countries like North Korea, and relies on detecting the infrared end of the spectrum.
Specifically the system is designed to be able to detect strategic and short range ballistic missile launches, determine their flight trajectory, and provide a location for where the missile will hit, pretty much what the US and its allies are claiming.
Oleksandr Danylyuk, the former head of Ukraine’s national security and defence council, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the US side should have enough intelligence in the region to be back up assertions that the flight was shot down.
He added: “It looked very suspicious early. It was a relatively new plane with very experienced crew. What I was very suspicious about was that quite quickly from the Iranian side there was a position that it was not a terrorist attack or shooting down but a technical failure.”
The investigative journalism website Bellingcat has geolocated the location of one of a number of videos that have emerged showing the moment of a possible missile strike on the plane.
The video - which posted onto a public Telegram channel - has been geolocated to a residential area in Parand (coordinates 35.489414, 50.906917), a suburb to the west of Imam Khomeini International Airport, according to the website.
Bellingcat notes that it is unclear why the person holding the camera was filming at the time, but it was possible that there were two missiles.
A number of media outlets report that Iran had turned on its missile defence system to protect itself after it fired 22 missiles at American bases in Iraq in retaliation for the US killing last week in Iraq of the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
The system, however, mistook Flight 752 for a threat and shot it down, Newsweek reports, quoting a senior US intelligence official.
US media outlets have also quoted officials saying their satellites had identified the signature of an Iranian anti-aircraft battery being activated shortly before the aircraft went down a few minutes after taking off at 6.13am on Wednesday morning.
The US officials said they had identified infrared signals from two suspected missiles, followed shortly afterwards by an infrared blip from the burning aircraft.
Public suspicions that the Boeing 737-800 may have accidentally been shot down had grown throughout Thursday based on images circulating on social media showing what appeared to be missile debris that was purportedly photographed near the crash site.
Iranian officials have rejected the western intelligence assessments.
“Scientifically, it is impossible that a missile hit the Ukrainian plane, and such rumours are illogical,” said Ali Abedzadeh, the head of Iran’s of Civil Aviation Organisation.
A spokesman for the Iranian government, Ali Rabiei, went on in a statement today to blame what he described as a “US psychological operation.”
Iran’s Press TV quotes him as saying:
“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 victimising them for certain goals by propagating such fallacies,” the senior Iranian official pointed out.
Meanwhile, a new video has emerged which appears to show the moment a Ukrainian passenger jet was shot down in Iran.
Originally obtained by the New York Times, the phone footage shows a tiny spec suddenly exploding.
The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has vowed to find answers over crash that killed 176 people, including 63 Canadians, and has also cited intelligence reports casting the incident in a new light.
“We have intelligence, including from our allies and own intelligence that the plane was shot down by Iranian surface-to-air missiles,” Trudeau said.
“Canadians want answers. That means transparency, accountability and justice.”
Western agencies are understood to have picked up signals of the missile launches followed by the traces of an explosion.
A British source told the Guardian: “The assessment is that it looks like it is a tragic accident.”
In a statement on Thursday night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “There is now a body of information that the flight was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. This may well have been unintentional. We are working closely with Canada and our international partners and there now needs to be a full, transparent investigation.”
Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s live blog coverage of the terrible loss of life after a Ukrainian passenger aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran - and the new development in the form of claims by western security officials that it was accidentally shot down by an Iranian anti-aircraft missile.
Intelligence have sources told the Guardian their assessments suggest two surface-to-air missiles had targeted the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 that went down in Iran on Wednesday morning, killing all 176 people onboard.
Iran was inviting experts from Boeing, the jetliner’s manufacturer, to join the investigation into the crash, the Iranian official news agency IRNA said on Friday, while the US National Transportation Safety Board said it had received “formal notification” of the crash from Iran and had designated a representative to the crash inquiry.
On Friday morning the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on “international partners” to share any information they had on the crash.
Zelenskiy also said he would discuss the investigation with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo later on Friday.
“The version about a missile hitting a plane is not ruled out, but it has not been confirmed yet,” Zelenskiy said on Facebook. “Given the recent statements by the leaders of the states in the media, we call on all international partners - notably the governments of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom - to submit data and evidence concerning the disaster to the commission which investigates the causes.”
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