US threatens to retaliate if Iran did shoot down passenger plane killing 176
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a thinly veiled warning after the Boeing 737-800 jet was brought down
By Ben Glaze Deputy Political Editor
Search and rescue work conducted at site after the Boeing 737 plane crashed (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The White House has threatened “appropriate action” if it is proved Iran shot down the passenger plane over Tehran, killing 176 people.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a thinly veiled warning after the Boeing 737-800 jet was brought down.
Western intelligence officials believe the aircraft was targeted after being misidentified just hours after Iran fired 16 rockets at coalition bases in Iraq.
The death toll included 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians and four Britons.
The four were: Mohammed Zadeh, 40, who owned a dry cleaners; BP engineer Sam Zokaei, 42; PhD student and engineer Saeed Tahmasebi, 35; and Arad Zarei, 17.
Arad recently relocated to Canada having attended St Mary’s Primary School in Twickenham, South West London.
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His dad Mehrzad Zarei told Canadian media: “He was the apple of my eye and his energetic demeanour and caring personality left a lasting impression on his classmates and many friends.”
When Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 came down, Iranian air defences were on high alert for retaliatory strikes. But Tehran yesterday denied claims it shot down the plane – thought to have been struck by a Tor-M1 missile.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Pompeo warned: “We do believe it is likely the plane was brought down by an Iranian missile.
"We will learn more about what happened to that aircraft and when we get the results of that investigation, I am confident that we and the world will take appropriate actions in response.”
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced new sanctions on Iran (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Debris of the Ukraine International Airlines, flight PS752, Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed after take-off (Image: via REUTERS)
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British Government sources stressed they believed the crash was a “tragic accident”, rather than deliberate.
The head of Iran’s civil aviation organisation, Ali Abedzadeh, challenged Western governments to share evidence proving Flight PS752 was struck by a weapon.
He said: “What is obvious for us, and what we can say with certainty, is that no missile hit the plane.”
Washington and Tehran appeared to have stepped back from the brink of war after the barrage of rockets fired at coalition forces in Iraq this week.
Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada placed a candle on Parliament Hill during vigil for the victims (Image: Getty Images)
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a candle light vigil for the victims (Image: REUTERS)
The Stop the War Coalition will today march through London opposing military action against Iran. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is due to address protesters.
Labour and other critics of the raid have claimed it was illegal. But the White House has defended the killing, saying American lives were under imminent threat when Soleimani landed in Iraq.
Mr Pompeo insisted there was intelligence pointing towards an “imminent attack” and “active plotting”.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a thinly veiled warning after the Boeing 737-800 jet was brought down
By Ben Glaze Deputy Political Editor
- 19:23, 10 JAN 2020
Search and rescue work conducted at site after the Boeing 737 plane crashed (Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The White House has threatened “appropriate action” if it is proved Iran shot down the passenger plane over Tehran, killing 176 people.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a thinly veiled warning after the Boeing 737-800 jet was brought down.
Western intelligence officials believe the aircraft was targeted after being misidentified just hours after Iran fired 16 rockets at coalition bases in Iraq.
The death toll included 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians and four Britons.
The four were: Mohammed Zadeh, 40, who owned a dry cleaners; BP engineer Sam Zokaei, 42; PhD student and engineer Saeed Tahmasebi, 35; and Arad Zarei, 17.
Arad recently relocated to Canada having attended St Mary’s Primary School in Twickenham, South West London.
Brit Arad Zarei was killed in the Iraq plane crash
Sister of newlywed killed in Iran plane crash discovered tragic deaths through Facebook
Horrifying moment 'missile' smashes into Ukranian jet killing all 176 on board
His dad Mehrzad Zarei told Canadian media: “He was the apple of my eye and his energetic demeanour and caring personality left a lasting impression on his classmates and many friends.”
When Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 came down, Iranian air defences were on high alert for retaliatory strikes. But Tehran yesterday denied claims it shot down the plane – thought to have been struck by a Tor-M1 missile.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Pompeo warned: “We do believe it is likely the plane was brought down by an Iranian missile.
"We will learn more about what happened to that aircraft and when we get the results of that investigation, I am confident that we and the world will take appropriate actions in response.”
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced new sanctions on Iran (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Debris of the Ukraine International Airlines, flight PS752, Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed after take-off (Image: via REUTERS)
Iran plane crash: Fourth British victim named as teen who was due to turn 18
British Government sources stressed they believed the crash was a “tragic accident”, rather than deliberate.
The head of Iran’s civil aviation organisation, Ali Abedzadeh, challenged Western governments to share evidence proving Flight PS752 was struck by a weapon.
He said: “What is obvious for us, and what we can say with certainty, is that no missile hit the plane.”
Washington and Tehran appeared to have stepped back from the brink of war after the barrage of rockets fired at coalition forces in Iraq this week.
Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada placed a candle on Parliament Hill during vigil for the victims (Image: Getty Images)
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a candle light vigil for the victims (Image: REUTERS)
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The Stop the War Coalition will today march through London opposing military action against Iran. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is due to address protesters.
Labour and other critics of the raid have claimed it was illegal. But the White House has defended the killing, saying American lives were under imminent threat when Soleimani landed in Iraq.
Mr Pompeo insisted there was intelligence pointing towards an “imminent attack” and “active plotting”.
