The Islamic Republic of Iran has accepted responsibility for the Ukrainian passenger jet that crashed and killed 176 passengers moments after takeoff on Wednesday.

This happened at the same time when Iran was firing surface to air missiles at US military bases in Iraq in retaliation for the death of Quds commader Qassem Solomaine who was assassinated near Baghadad Airport by a US drone ordered by President Trump.

According to a military statement broadcasted by state-controlled TV, military officials claimed that they ‘unintentionally’ shot down the plane because it had been mistaken for a hostile target after it turned toward a sensitive military centre.

The country’s president offered his sincere apologies and condolences for the disastrous strike.