Hajizadeh denied that some authorities, including those in the Iranian Aviation Organisation, attempted to "hide" the truth. "They made comments based on their own knowledge," he said. Hajizadeh added that the Iranian armed forces and the IRGC did not want to hide the truth either. Soon after Iran's armed forces confirmed that an "unintentional" missile launch by the country's military was the cause of the plane crash, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the relevant authorities to conduct investigations into the "possible shortcomings" leading to the crash.

"I emphatically urge the Iranian armed forces to carry out probes into possible shortcomings and liability over this painful incident," Khamenei said in a statement carried by the state IRIB TV. The Iranian leader asked the authorities to "avoid repetition of such incidents". Reacting to the development, Iran President Hassan
Rouhani in a tweet said:

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"The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences." The victims comprised 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, four Britons and three Germans.

176
No. of people on board

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