A Boeing 737-800 Ukraine International Airlines plane crashed in Tehran shortly after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on Jan. 8, killing all 167 passengers and nine crew members.
The latest: The Iranian government has agreed to send the black boxes from the downed jetliner to Ukraine, suggesting it cannot be read in Iran and providing little further detail, according to an unnamed Iranian official per AP. American, French and Canadian experts will help analyze the data in Ukraine.
The state of play: Security camera footage obtained by the New York Times shows that the plane was struck by two missiles fired from an Iranian military site about eight miles away.
- On Jan. 10, Iran announced in a statement that its military had mistakenly shot down the jet. Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said in a tweet: "Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," pinning the blame parly on the Trump administration for escalating tensions with Iran.
- Iran previously denied that one of its missiles took down the plane, per AP. "What is obvious for us, and what we can say with certainty, is that no missile hit the plane," the head of its aviation department previously told a press conference.
What they're saying: "Iran did the right thing and took responsibility for the downing of this plane and this tragedy," Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Jan. 10. "I am of course outraged and furious that families across this country are grieving the loss of their loved ones," he said, emphasizing the strength of the Iranian-Canadian community.
"That is a very real question that many people are asking," Trudeau said in response to a reporter asking how he could trust Iran after the country lied about firing a missile at the Ukrainian plane.
- Trudeau first said on Jan. 9 that intelligence from multiple sources indicated an Iranian surface-to-air missile caused the crash. He has continuously stressed the need for a full investigation.
- Trudeau told reporters that President Trump did not make any specific requests of Canada when the leaders spoke on Jan. 8, in light of the president's call for NATO countries to increase their involvement in the Middle East.
- Trudeau later tweeted a summary of his Jan. 8 call with Trump, during which the leaders discussed the need for an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country would “insist on a full admission of guilt” by Tehran in his initial reaction to Iran’s announcement, per the New York Times.
What else we know: Canada is reaching out directly to Iran's government about the crash, Canada's deputy minister of global affairs said Jan. 8. Iran has said it is currently holding onto the plane's black boxes, but will likely grant Ukrainian investigators access, Trudeau stated on Jan. 9.
- Ukraine International Airlines said an investigation would be conducted into the crash involving authorities from Ukraine, Iran and Boeing representatives.
The victims: Officials in Ukraine said 82 Iranians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedish, four Afghan, three German and three British nationals were aboard the Kiev-bound Flight 752 when it crashed, per AP. 63 Canadians were killed in the crash, per Trudeau.
Boeing said in a statement: "This is a tragic event and our heartfelt thoughts are with the crew, passengers, and their families. We are in contact with our airline customer and stand by them in this difficult time. We are ready to assist in any way needed."
The big picture: The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency restriction on Jan. 7 prohibiting U.S. civil aviation operators from flying in airspace over Iraq, Iran and the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman after the Iranian military struck two Iraqi bases where U.S. troops are stationed.
- This latest crash could also further complicate things for Boeing, which is already struggling with its 737 Max after 346 people died in two crashes. However, it's not yet clear if this latest crash is related to manufacturer problems, per CNN.
Go deeper: Canada’s Justin Trudeau says evidence indicates Iranians shot down airliner
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
