Not so long ago, Iranians mourned the killing of Gen. Soleimani. But now, the people of Iran have turned from mourning to protesting. Tehran has lost all the sympathy after admitting that it shot down Ukrainian passenger plane due to a 'human error'. WION's Palki Sharma summarises. #Gravitas #Iran #US #SoleimaniKilling

Gravitas: Iran's 'unforgivable mistake' triggers protests

Iran is on the edge. The protests have overshadowed Tehran's battle with the Trump administration. Is this the worst uprising that Iran has witnessed since the 1979 revolution? This report explores #Gravitas #Iran

Gravitas: Biggest uprising since 1979 revolution in Iran?

Over the last 10 days, Iran's second most powerful person Soleimani was killed, missiles were fired & Iran shot down a passenger plane due to a 'human error'. De-escalation is a necessity even as the world grieves for the dead. Details in this report. #Gravitas #WestAsia

Gravitas: Crisis in West Asia, Canada grieves for the victims

The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. #WION

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - January 13, 2020

Soon after Qasem Soleimani's killing, there was a significant uptick in oil prices. And oil supply shocks are bad for everyone including the US.

In fact, the 1970s are a good example. During the years of turmoil, the prices at American oil pumps rose too. Some experts say that a sharp rise in oil prices led to the stagflation.

But 2020 is not the 1970s. America is a much larger producer of oil now.&nbsp;

The US added 1 lakh 45 thousand jobs in December that completes ten-year of jobs gains. The turmoil in West Asia does not affect the US economy as much as it did in the past.&nbsp;

Besides, tension and conflict is good news for the US arms industry, they can sell more weapons. But still, the US President has reasons to champion for peace.

For instance, the Iraq war and the Vietnam war took a toll on the US economy, experts say that an outright war with Iran is difficult to win and will cost the US economy.

As things stand, the US economy remains on solid footing. But, Trump's rating points have hit a speed bump.

Multiple surveys have shown that more than half of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of Iran. Americans fear that the United States is less safe after Soleimani's killing.

While the killing of Soleimani may have consolidated Trump's core vote base, the decision does not have the full approval of the people.&nbsp;

In an election year, Trump may attempt to play this safe and use Iran to project a powerful image while trying to seal a nuclear deal to cement the image of the deal maker - this could be Trump's gameplan in the coming weeks and months.

Unlike the US which has an advantage, it's neighbour Canada has a lot to learn from this conflict. This is a moment of sorrow for Canada and Justin Trudeau has sought accountability, de-escalation.

Canadian teams have reached Tehran to conduct a thorough probe. 35 years ago, Canada did not conduct such a 'thorough' probe.

In 1985, Canada witnessed one of the worst terror attacks in aviation history. The explosion of Air India &nbsp;Boeing - Kanishka killed 329 passengers and 22 crew members.

Khalistani separatists were reportedly involved in the bombing. But Canada, which is now seeking a fair probe, did not order one.

The investigation and trial of the Kanishka bombing went on for two decades. In the end, the bomb-maker was slapped with a 10-year sentence. All the conspirators walked scot-free.

Canada's experience must teach Iran and the whole world. Allowing separatist and extremist ideas to crystallise is dangerous for a country.&nbsp;

Not taking action on acts of terror will come back to haunt a country. It's a good time for Canada to come to terms with these facts.

Iran owes Canada and the world a thorough investigation. Authorities who shot down a passenger plane must be punished. It's the least Tehran can do, at the moment. 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)&nbsp;

Soon after Qasem Soleimani's killing, there was a significant uptick in oil prices. And oil supply shocks are bad for everyone including the US. In fact, the 1970s are a good example.

Soon after Qasem Soleimani's killing, there was a significant uptick in oil prices. And oil supply shocks are bad for everyone including the US. In fact, the 1970s are a good example. During the years of turmoil, the prices at American oil pumps rose too. Some experts say that a sharp rise in oil prices led to the stagflation. But 2020 is not the 1970s. America is a much larger producer of oil now. The US added 1 lakh 45 thousand jobs in December that completes ten-year of jobs gains. The turmoil in West Asia does not affect the US economy as much as it did in the past. Besides, tension and conflict is good news for the US arms industry, they can sell more weapons. But still, the US President has reasons to champion for peace. For instance, the Iraq war and the Vietnam war took a toll on the US economy, experts say that an outright war with Iran is difficult to win and will cost the US economy. As things stand, the US economy remains on solid footing. But, Trump's rating points have hit a speed bump. Multiple surveys have shown that more than half of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of Iran. Americans fear that the United States is less safe after Soleimani's killing. While the killing of Soleimani may have consolidated Trump's core vote base, the decision does not have the full approval of the people. In an election year, Trump may attempt to play this safe and use Iran to project a powerful image while trying to seal a nuclear deal to cement the image of the deal maker - this could be Trump's gameplan in the coming weeks and months. Unlike the US which has an advantage, it's neighbour Canada has a lot to learn from this conflict. This is a moment of sorrow for Canada and Justin Trudeau has sought accountability, de-escalation. Canadian teams have reached Tehran to conduct a thorough probe. 35 years ago, Canada did not conduct such a 'thorough' probe. In 1985, Canada witnessed one of the worst terror attacks in aviation history. The explosion of Air India Boeing - Kanishka killed 329 passengers and 22 crew members. Khalistani separatists were reportedly involved in the bombing. But Canada, which is now seeking a fair probe, did not order one. The investigation and trial of the Kanishka bombing went on for two decades. In the end, the bomb-maker was slapped with a 10-year sentence. All the conspirators walked scot-free. Canada's experience must teach Iran and the whole world. Allowing separatist and extremist ideas to crystallise is dangerous for a country. Not taking action on acts of terror will come back to haunt a country. It's a good time for Canada to come to terms with these facts. Iran owes Canada and the world a thorough investigation. Authorities who shot down a passenger plane must be punished. It's the least Tehran can do, at the moment. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Who benefits from ongoing crisis in West Asia?

Iran is on a major diplomatic mission to garner support against the United States of America in West Asia. For Tehran, the Ultimate aim is to expel all US troops from the region. Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani held a meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Tehran. All three leaders agreed that de-escalation and dialogue are the only way to solve the current crisis. #WION #WIONNews #Rouhani #Iran #US #Tehran

WION Dispatch: Iran's diplomatic outreach to allies, Pak PM Qureshi meets Prez Rouhani

Facebook-owned Instagram has been reportedly removing both posts and accounts showing support for Iranian general Qasem Soleimani shortly after his death in US airstrike.

The organization has dropped the accounts of 15 journalists, some Iranian news sources, and other non-checked records. Instagram additionally erased an image of Soleimani posted by Iranian soccer player Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Soleimani was 'probably' planning to attack four US embassies: Donald Trump</a>

Condemning this attempt the International Federation of Journalists has termed the censorship effort as “unprecedented in the history of social networks and in conflict with the very innate actuality of media.”

Soleimani was killed in an airstrike authorised by US President Donald Trump. The killing escalated tensions between Iran-US relations.

A three-day national funeral procession was held for the head of Iran's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, marked by hundreds of thousands of mourners who were seen carrying his casket with the slain general's posters across Iran and Iraq.

Iran has appointed General Esmail Ghaani as the head of the elite Quds Force.

Facebook-owned Instagram has been reportedly removing both posts and accounts showing support for Iranian general Qasem Soleimani shortly after his death in US airstrike.

Facebook-owned Instagram has been reportedly removing both posts and accounts showing support for Iranian general Qasem Soleimani shortly after his death in US airstrike. The organization has dropped the accounts of 15 journalists, some Iranian news sources, and other non-checked records. Instagram additionally erased an image of Soleimani posted by Iranian soccer player Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Also read: Soleimani was 'probably' planning to attack four US embassies: Donald Trump Condemning this attempt the International Federation of Journalists has termed the censorship effort as “unprecedented in the history of social networks and in conflict with the very innate actuality of media.” Soleimani was killed in an airstrike authorised by US President Donald Trump. The killing escalated tensions between Iran-US relations. A three-day national funeral procession was held for the head of Iran's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, marked by hundreds of thousands of mourners who were seen carrying his casket with the slain general's posters across Iran and Iraq. Iran has appointed General Esmail Ghaani as the head of the elite Quds Force.

Instagram censoring pro-Qasem Soleimani posts from the platform

The base had held a small US Air Force contingent as well as American contractors, but a majority had been evacuated following tensions between the US and Iran over the past two weeks. #WION

Six rockets hit Iraq base hosting US troops

How Iran protested after Islamic Republic admitted it downed Ukrainian aircraft

Qatar is one of a few countries in the region that maintains a close relationship with Washington and Tehran.

Qatari emir in Iran: 'De-escalation is the only solution'

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs.

Coming on the back of the Soleimani killing, Pompeo’s directive appears to put an end to the Trump administration’s hinting that it covertly supports insurgent efforts to at the very least destabilise the Iranian government if not topple it.

A litmus test of the directive by Pompeo, known to have a close relationship with Donald J Trump, is likely to be whether the president’s personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, distances himself from the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an offshoot of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, a group that was taken off the US Treasury’s list of designated terrorists several years ago.

Giuliani is a frequent, well-paid speaker at gatherings of the group that has built a significant network among Western political elites. The council and the Mujahedeen openly call for regime change in Iran.

The Mujahedeen were moved with US assistance from their exile base in Iraq to a reportedly Saudi-funded secretive facility in Albania.

A New Jersey-based lobbying firm hired by the NCRI, Rosemont Associates, reported last year in its filing as a foreign agent frequent email and telephone contact on behalf of its client with the US embassy in the Albanian capital of Tirana as well as Brian Hook, the US Special Representative for Iran, and Gabriel Noronha, an aide to Hook.

In his directive, Pompeo said that “Direct US government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilising behaviour.”&nbsp;

The secretary went on to say that Iranian opposition groups “Try to engage US officials regularly to gain at least the appearance of tacit support and enhance their visibility and clout.”

Pompeo’s cable, while keeping a potential negotiated deal with Iran on the table, does not stop other US government agencies from covertly supporting the various groups, that also includes Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of al-Ahwaz (AMLA), the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI).

Iran, which has long believed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Israel, supported the Mujahedeen as well as ethnic militants that intermittently launch attacks inside Iran, is likely to take a wait-and see-attitude towards Pompeo’s directive that could be seen as a signal that the Trump administration is not seeking regime change.

The timing of the directive is significant. Iran responded to the killing of Soleimani with carefully calibrated missile attacks on US facilities in Iraq in a bid to create an environment in which backchanneling potentially could steer the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table.

While it was uncertain that one round of escalated tensions would do the trick, potential efforts were not helped by the death of Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, a key interlocutor who has repeatedly helped resolve US-Iranian problems and initiated contacts that ultimately led to the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program.

In his directive, Pompeo, referring to Komala, acknowledged that “Iran’s regime appears to assess that the United States and/or Israel support this group of militant Kurds.”

Iranian perceptions were reinforced not only by calls for regime change by senior figures like Giuliani and Saudi prince Turki al-Faisal, a former head of the kingdom’s intelligence service and ex-ambassador to Britain and the United States, but also the appointment in 2018 of Steven Fagin as counsel general in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Shortly before moving to Erbil, Fagin met in Washington as head of the State Department’s Office of Iranian Affairs, with Mustafa Hijri, leader of the KDPI as it stepped up its attacks in Iranian Kurdistan.

Iranian perceptions were further informed by the appointment of John Bolton, Trump’s since departed national security advisor and like Giuliani a frequent speaker at NCRI events, who publicly advocates support of ethnic insurgencies in Iran in a bid to change the regime.

As Trump’s first director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Pompeo named Michael D’Andrea, a hard-charging, chain-smoking covert operations officer, alternatively nicknamed the Dark Prince or Ayatollah Mike, whose track record includes overseeing the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, as head of the CIA’s Iran operations.

The appointment was followed by the publication by a Riyadh-based think tank believed to be close to crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of a study for Saudi support for a low-level Baloch insurgency in Iran. Prince Mohammed vowed around the same time that “We will work so that the battle is for them in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia.”

Pakistani militants have claimed that Saudi Arabia had stepped up funding of militant madrassas or religious seminaries in the Pakistani province of Balochistan that allegedly serves as havens for anti-Iranian fighters.

The New York Times reported this week that aides to Prince Mohammed had in the past discussed with private businessmen the assassination of Soleimani, an architect of Iran’s regional network of proxies, and other Iranians as well as ways of sabotaging the country’s economy.

Pompeo’s directive is unlikely to persuade Iran that Washington has had a change of heart. Indeed, it hasn’t. Trump maintains his campaign of maximum pressure and this week imposed additional sanctions on Iran.

Nonetheless, potentially taking regime change off the table facilitates backchanneling that aims at getting the two nations to talk again. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs.

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs. Coming on the back of the Soleimani killing, Pompeo’s directive appears to put an end to the Trump administration’s hinting that it covertly supports insurgent efforts to at the very least destabilise the Iranian government if not topple it. A litmus test of the directive by Pompeo, known to have a close relationship with Donald J Trump, is likely to be whether the president’s personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, distances himself from the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an offshoot of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, a group that was taken off the US Treasury’s list of designated terrorists several years ago. Giuliani is a frequent, well-paid speaker at gatherings of the group that has built a significant network among Western political elites. The council and the Mujahedeen openly call for regime change in Iran. The Mujahedeen were moved with US assistance from their exile base in Iraq to a reportedly Saudi-funded secretive facility in Albania. A New Jersey-based lobbying firm hired by the NCRI, Rosemont Associates, reported last year in its filing as a foreign agent frequent email and telephone contact on behalf of its client with the US embassy in the Albanian capital of Tirana as well as Brian Hook, the US Special Representative for Iran, and Gabriel Noronha, an aide to Hook. In his directive, Pompeo said that “Direct US government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilising behaviour.” The secretary went on to say that Iranian opposition groups “Try to engage US officials regularly to gain at least the appearance of tacit support and enhance their visibility and clout.” Pompeo’s cable, while keeping a potential negotiated deal with Iran on the table, does not stop other US government agencies from covertly supporting the various groups, that also includes Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of al-Ahwaz (AMLA), the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI). Iran, which has long believed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Israel, supported the Mujahedeen as well as ethnic militants that intermittently launch attacks inside Iran, is likely to take a wait-and see-attitude towards Pompeo’s directive that could be seen as a signal that the Trump administration is not seeking regime change. The timing of the directive is significant. Iran responded to the killing of Soleimani with carefully calibrated missile attacks on US facilities in Iraq in a bid to create an environment in which backchanneling potentially could steer the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. While it was uncertain that one round of escalated tensions would do the trick, potential efforts were not helped by the death of Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, a key interlocutor who has repeatedly helped resolve US-Iranian problems and initiated contacts that ultimately led to the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program. In his directive, Pompeo, referring to Komala, acknowledged that “Iran’s regime appears to assess that the United States and/or Israel support this group of militant Kurds.” Iranian perceptions were reinforced not only by calls for regime change by senior figures like Giuliani and Saudi prince Turki al-Faisal, a former head of the kingdom’s intelligence service and ex-ambassador to Britain and the United States, but also the appointment in 2018 of Steven Fagin as counsel general in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. Shortly before moving to Erbil, Fagin met in Washington as head of the State Department’s Office of Iranian Affairs, with Mustafa Hijri, leader of the KDPI as it stepped up its attacks in Iranian Kurdistan. Iranian perceptions were further informed by the appointment of John Bolton, Trump’s since departed national security advisor and like Giuliani a frequent speaker at NCRI events, who publicly advocates support of ethnic insurgencies in Iran in a bid to change the regime. As Trump’s first director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Pompeo named Michael D’Andrea, a hard-charging, chain-smoking covert operations officer, alternatively nicknamed the Dark Prince or Ayatollah Mike, whose track record includes overseeing the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, as head of the CIA’s Iran operations. The appointment was followed by the publication by a Riyadh-based think tank believed to be close to crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of a study for Saudi support for a low-level Baloch insurgency in Iran. Prince Mohammed vowed around the same time that “We will work so that the battle is for them in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia.” Pakistani militants have claimed that Saudi Arabia had stepped up funding of militant madrassas or religious seminaries in the Pakistani province of Balochistan that allegedly serves as havens for anti-Iranian fighters. The New York Times reported this week that aides to Prince Mohammed had in the past discussed with private businessmen the assassination of Soleimani, an architect of Iran’s regional network of proxies, and other Iranians as well as ways of sabotaging the country’s economy. Pompeo’s directive is unlikely to persuade Iran that Washington has had a change of heart. Indeed, it hasn’t. Trump maintains his campaign of maximum pressure and this week imposed additional sanctions on Iran. Nonetheless, potentially taking regime change off the table facilitates backchanneling that aims at getting the two nations to talk again. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US backs off support to regime change in Iran

Britain's Foreign Office confirmed on Saturday that the country's ambassador in&nbsp;Tehran&nbsp;was&nbsp;briefly detained by Iranian authorities, denouncing the&nbsp;arrest&nbsp;as a "flagrant&nbsp;violation&nbsp;of international&nbsp;law".

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Foreign Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/DominicRaab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DominicRaab</a> calls brief detention of <a href="https://twitter.com/HMATehran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMATehran</a> a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: <a href="https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb">https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb</a>
— Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/foreignoffice/status/1216114167888912385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, the&nbsp;Tehran-based Tasnim news agency reported that British&nbsp;envoy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Rob Macaire</a> was&nbsp;arrested for several hours in front of Amir Kabir University for inciting anti-government protesters.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/British?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#British</a> ambassador to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tehran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tehran</a> has been detained for organizing suspicious movements and protests in front of Amir Kabir University but released after hours and will be summoned by foreign ministry tomorrow morning <a href="https://t.co/lWfPasQsIH">pic.twitter.com/lWfPasQsIH</a>
— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tasnimnews_EN/status/1216104698182356992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"The&nbsp;arrest&nbsp;of our Ambassador in&nbsp;Tehran&nbsp;without grounds or explanation is a flagrant&nbsp;violation&nbsp;of international&nbsp;law," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.

"The Iranian government is at a crossroads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forward," Raab said.

Britain's Foreign Office confirmed on Saturday that the country's ambassador in Tehran was briefly detained by Iranian authorities, denouncing the arrest as a "flagrant violation of international law".

Britain's Foreign Office confirmed on Saturday that the country's ambassador in Tehran was briefly detained by Iranian authorities, denouncing the arrest as a "flagrant violation of international law". Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab calls brief detention of @HMATehran a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb — Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) January 11, 2020 × Earlier, the Tehran-based Tasnim news agency reported that British envoy Rob Macaire was arrested for several hours in front of Amir Kabir University for inciting anti-government protesters. #British ambassador to #Tehran has been detained for organizing suspicious movements and protests in front of Amir Kabir University but released after hours and will be summoned by foreign ministry tomorrow morning pic.twitter.com/lWfPasQsIH — Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) January 11, 2020 × "The arrest of our Ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. "The Iranian government is at a crossroads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forward," Raab said.

UK denounces brief arrest of envoy in Tehran as violation of law

In Iranian capital Tehran, thousands of protesters took to the streets after Iran admitted to having shot down Ukranian passenger plane. #WION #Iran #IranPlaneCrash

Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane

Iran's sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh Zonoozi&nbsp;has announced that she has permanently left her country for Europe.

The 21-year--old wrote on her Instagram account that she was one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran who they have been playing with for years.

Alizadeh became the first Iranian woman to win an Olympic medal after claiming taekwondo bronze in the 57kg category during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Alizadeh is known as the tsunami in Iran.

Her announcement on leaving her birth country comes amid her searing criticism of the regime in Tehran. Some Iranians suggest that she has left for the Netherlands.

However, it is unclear from her post what specific country she's gone to.

Alizadeh's defection comes amid anti-government protests in cities across Iran amid goring international pressure after Iran admitted that it had accidentally shot down the Ukrainian flight, killing all 176 people aboard.

Canada, Sweden and other countries whose citizens were killed have increased demands on Tehran to deliver a complete and transparent investigation against the backdrop of fresh US sanctions and a dangerous escalation with Washington.

Iran's sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh Zonoozi has announced that she has permanently left her country for Europe. The 21-year--old wrote on her Instagram account that she was one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran who they have been playing with for years.

Iran's sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh Zonoozi has announced that she has permanently left her country for Europe. The 21-year--old wrote on her Instagram account that she was one of the millions of oppressed women in Iran who they have been playing with for years. Alizadeh became the first Iranian woman to win an Olympic medal after claiming taekwondo bronze in the 57kg category during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Alizadeh is known as the tsunami in Iran. Her announcement on leaving her birth country comes amid her searing criticism of the regime in Tehran. Some Iranians suggest that she has left for the Netherlands. However, it is unclear from her post what specific country she's gone to. Alizadeh's defection comes amid anti-government protests in cities across Iran amid goring international pressure after Iran admitted that it had accidentally shot down the Ukrainian flight, killing all 176 people aboard. Canada, Sweden and other countries whose citizens were killed have increased demands on Tehran to deliver a complete and transparent investigation against the backdrop of fresh US sanctions and a dangerous escalation with Washington.

Iran's sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh says she left her country for Europe

Iran has said that it has unintentionally brought down Ukrainian International Airlines airplane. As per the reports, the Ukrainian plane had flown close to a sensitive military site. The crash killed all 176 people who were on board including many Iranians and Canadians. Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif took to Twitter today and confirmed the same. #WION #Iran #IranPlaneCrash #JavadZarif

Iran admits unintentionally shooting down Ukraine Jet

Iran admits unintentionally shooting down Ukraine jet

US President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States was monitoring Iranian demonstrations closely, warning against any new "massacre" as protests broke out after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-pm-justin-trudeau-wants-full-investigation-into-plane-crash-273614">Tehran admitted to shooting down a passenger plane</a>.

Iran said earlier it unintentionally downed a Ukrainian jetliner outside Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard, in an abrupt about-turn after initially denying Western claims it was struck by a missile. The firing came shortly after Iran launched missiles at bases in Iraq housing American forces.

President Hassan Rouhani said a military probe into the tragedy had found "missiles fired due to human error" brought down the Boeing 737, calling it an "unforgivable mistake."

At a student protest to pay tribute to the crash victims on Saturday, Iranian authorities briefly detained Britain's ambassador, in what the British government called a violation of international law. He was later released.

Trump told Iranians -- in tweets in both English and Farsi -- that he stands by them and is monitoring the demonstrations.

"To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you," he tweeted.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-supreme-leader-khameneis-twitter-account-temporarily-suspended-273641">Iran's supreme leader Khamenei's Twitter account temporarily suspended</a>

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To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1216114135529902081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he added, apparently referring to an Iranian crackdown on street protests that broke out in November.

"We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage," he said.

The new demonstrations follow an Iranian crackdown on street protests that broke out in November. Amnesty International has said it left more than 300 people dead.

Internet access was reportedly cut off in multiple Iranian provinces ahead of memorials planned a month after the protests.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has demanded that Iran provide "full clarity" on the downing of the plane. Ottawa says the dead included 57 Canadians.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also offered his condolences and ordered the armed forces to address "shortcomings" so that such a disaster does not happen again.

Tehran's acknowledgement came after officials in Iran denied for days Western claims that the Ukraine International Airlines plane had been struck by a missile in a catastrophic error.

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The Kiev-bound jet slammed into a field shortly after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on Wednesday.

The crash came hours after Tehran launched missiles at bases hosting American forces in Iraq in response to the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike.

Fears grew of an all-out war between Iran and its arch-enemy the United States, but those concerns have subsided after Trump said Tehran appeared to be standing down after targeting the US bases.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Soleimani was 'probably' planning to attack four US embassies: Donald Trump</a>

Protesters 'dispersed'

On Saturday evening, police dispersed students who had converged on Amir Kabir University in Tehran to pay tribute to the victims, after some among the hundreds gathered shouted "destructive" slogans, Fars news agency said.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said UK envoy Rob Macaire had been detained.

"The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law," Raab said in a statement. The US called on Iran to apologize.

Iran's Tasnim News Agency, which is close to the country's conservatives, said the envoy had been "provoking radical acts" among students. He was released a few hours later and would be summoned again by Iranian officials on Sunday, it said.

State television reported that students shouted "anti-regime" chants, while Fars reported that posters of Soleimani had been torn down.

The aerospace commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards accepted full responsibility for Wednesday's accident.

But Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh said the missile operator acted independently, targeting the 737 after mistaking it for a "cruise missile".

The operator failed to obtain approval from his superiors because of disruptions to a communications system, he said.

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The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1216120362230067202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"He had 10 seconds to decide. He could have decided to strike or not to strike and under such circumstances, he took the wrong decision."

Justice, compensation

Iran had been under mounting international pressure to allow a "credible" investigation after video emerged appearing to show the moment the airliner was hit.

In footage that the New York Times said it had verified, a fast-moving object is seen rising into the sky before a bright flash appears. Several seconds later, an explosion is heard.

Iran's military said it had been at the highest level of alert after American "threats" and that the plane had turned and come close to a "sensitive" military site before it was targeted due to "human error."

Rouhani said Iran had been on alert for possible US attacks after Soleimani's "martyrdom."

Rouhani added he had ordered "all relevant bodies to take all necessary actions (to ensure) compensation" to the families of those killed.

The majority of passengers on Flight PS752 were Iranians and Canadians, including dual nationals, while Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes were also aboard.

Rouhani told his Ukrainian counterpart Saturday that "all the persons involved in this air disaster will be brought to justice," Ukraine's presidency said.

This is Iran's worst civil aviation disaster since 1988 when the US military said it shot down an Iran Air plane over the Gulf by mistake, killing all 290 people on board.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States was monitoring Iranian demonstrations closely, warning against any new "massacre" as protests broke out after Tehran admitted to shooting down a passenger plane.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States was monitoring Iranian demonstrations closely, warning against any new "massacre" as protests broke out after Tehran admitted to shooting down a passenger plane. Iran said earlier it unintentionally downed a Ukrainian jetliner outside Tehran, killing all 176 people aboard, in an abrupt about-turn after initially denying Western claims it was struck by a missile. The firing came shortly after Iran launched missiles at bases in Iraq housing American forces. President Hassan Rouhani said a military probe into the tragedy had found "missiles fired due to human error" brought down the Boeing 737, calling it an "unforgivable mistake." At a student protest to pay tribute to the crash victims on Saturday, Iranian authorities briefly detained Britain's ambassador, in what the British government called a violation of international law. He was later released. Trump told Iranians -- in tweets in both English and Farsi -- that he stands by them and is monitoring the demonstrations. "To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you," he tweeted. Also read: Iran's supreme leader Khamenei's Twitter account temporarily suspended To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020 × "There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he added, apparently referring to an Iranian crackdown on street protests that broke out in November. "We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage," he said. The new demonstrations follow an Iranian crackdown on street protests that broke out in November. Amnesty International has said it left more than 300 people dead. Internet access was reportedly cut off in multiple Iranian provinces ahead of memorials planned a month after the protests. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has demanded that Iran provide "full clarity" on the downing of the plane. Ottawa says the dead included 57 Canadians. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also offered his condolences and ordered the armed forces to address "shortcomings" so that such a disaster does not happen again. Tehran's acknowledgement came after officials in Iran denied for days Western claims that the Ukraine International Airlines plane had been struck by a missile in a catastrophic error. × The Kiev-bound jet slammed into a field shortly after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on Wednesday. The crash came hours after Tehran launched missiles at bases hosting American forces in Iraq in response to the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike. Fears grew of an all-out war between Iran and its arch-enemy the United States, but those concerns have subsided after Trump said Tehran appeared to be standing down after targeting the US bases. Also read: Soleimani was 'probably' planning to attack four US embassies: Donald Trump Protesters 'dispersed' On Saturday evening, police dispersed students who had converged on Amir Kabir University in Tehran to pay tribute to the victims, after some among the hundreds gathered shouted "destructive" slogans, Fars news agency said. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said UK envoy Rob Macaire had been detained. "The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law," Raab said in a statement. The US called on Iran to apologize. Iran's Tasnim News Agency, which is close to the country's conservatives, said the envoy had been "provoking radical acts" among students. He was released a few hours later and would be summoned again by Iranian officials on Sunday, it said. State television reported that students shouted "anti-regime" chants, while Fars reported that posters of Soleimani had been torn down. The aerospace commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards accepted full responsibility for Wednesday's accident. But Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh said the missile operator acted independently, targeting the 737 after mistaking it for a "cruise missile". The operator failed to obtain approval from his superiors because of disruptions to a communications system, he said. The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020 × "He had 10 seconds to decide. He could have decided to strike or not to strike and under such circumstances, he took the wrong decision." Justice, compensation Iran had been under mounting international pressure to allow a "credible" investigation after video emerged appearing to show the moment the airliner was hit. In footage that the New York Times said it had verified, a fast-moving object is seen rising into the sky before a bright flash appears. Several seconds later, an explosion is heard. Iran's military said it had been at the highest level of alert after American "threats" and that the plane had turned and come close to a "sensitive" military site before it was targeted due to "human error." Rouhani said Iran had been on alert for possible US attacks after Soleimani's "martyrdom." Rouhani added he had ordered "all relevant bodies to take all necessary actions (to ensure) compensation" to the families of those killed. The majority of passengers on Flight PS752 were Iranians and Canadians, including dual nationals, while Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes were also aboard. Rouhani told his Ukrainian counterpart Saturday that "all the persons involved in this air disaster will be brought to justice," Ukraine's presidency said. This is Iran's worst civil aviation disaster since 1988 when the US military said it shot down an Iran Air plane over the Gulf by mistake, killing all 290 people on board.

Trump warns Iran against 'massacre' as protests erupt over downing of Ukrainian airplane

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told the Iranian authorities not to kill the protesters in an apparent reference to people protesting against the military after it admitted that it had mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian airliner.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told the Iranian authorities not to kill the protesters in an apparent reference to people protesting against the military after it admitted that it had mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian airliner. All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed. ''To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching,'' Trump tweeted. ''Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people!'' he added. To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020 × Protesters piled pressure on Iran's leadership on Sunday with demands for top authorities to quit after the Iranian military admitted it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner at a time when it had feared US strikes. "They are lying that our enemy is America, our enemy is right here," dozens of protesters outside a university in Tehran chanted, according to video clips posted on Twitter. Scores of demonstrators were also shown gathered in other cities. The social media posts could not be verified by Reuters. But state-affiliated media had reported protests on Saturday shortly after the Iranian military apologised for mistakenly bringing down the Ukrainian plane on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard.

'Do not kill your protesters, world is watching', Trump warns Iran

Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-under-pressure-at-home-over-plane-crash-warns-iran-world-is-watching-273502">Justin Trudeau</a> is set on Sunday to attend what is expected to be the country's largest memorial to the victims of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-pm-justin-trudeau-wants-full-investigation-into-plane-crash-273614">Ukrainian airliner</a> shot down in Iran in a disaster that killed 57 Canadians, mainly of Iranian descent.

Trudeau's office confirmed on Saturday that the prime minister will address the memorial service, due to be held in a basketball arena that seats 1,700 people in the western city of Edmonton. Thirteen of the victims lived in Edmonton.

Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne will also attend.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-uk-envoy-macaire-arrested-but-freed-soon-after-identified-273805">Iran</a> acknowledged on Saturday that its military shot down the plane on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard, in what the country's president called a "disastrous mistake," with air defenses firing in error while on alert after Iranian missile strikes on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">US</a>&nbsp;targets in Iraq.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Great tragedy and unforgivable mistake: Iranian president on military 'unintentionally' shooting down Ukrainian airplane</a>

"Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered," Trudeau said in a news conference in Ottawa on Saturday.

"It is absolutely necessary that Canada participate in this investigation. We expect the full cooperation of Iranian authorities," Trudeau added.

The memorial in Edmonton follows several days of grief in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ottawa-lowers-canadian-death-toll-in-iran-air-crash-to-57-273604">Canada</a>, including candlelight vigils in many cities.

Memorials are also planned on Sunday in Toronto.

"The community is unbelievable. The people feel whole Canada is hugging them," said Reza Akbari, president of the Iranian Heritage Society of Edmonton.

Mourners placed flowers and scattered rose petals this week outside the office of University of Alberta engineering professor Pedram Mousavi, who died in the crash with his wife, engineering professor Mojgan Daneshmand, and their two daughters.

"They were both so kind and caring," wrote Dennis Ramsawak, who took classes with both professors, in an online memorial. "I'm so heartbroken. It's a great loss for the community."

Edmonton's Iranian community is collecting funds to pay funeral and other expenses for the victims' families.

Some Edmonton relatives have already traveled to Iran to bury relatives, Akbari said, adding that transporting remains to Canada for burial would be complex and costly.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set on Sunday to attend what is expected to be the country's largest memorial to the victims of a Ukrainian airliner shot down in Iran in a disaster that killed 57 Canadians, mainly of Iranian descent.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set on Sunday to attend what is expected to be the country's largest memorial to the victims of a Ukrainian airliner shot down in Iran in a disaster that killed 57 Canadians, mainly of Iranian descent. Trudeau's office confirmed on Saturday that the prime minister will address the memorial service, due to be held in a basketball arena that seats 1,700 people in the western city of Edmonton. Thirteen of the victims lived in Edmonton. Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne will also attend. Iran acknowledged on Saturday that its military shot down the plane on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard, in what the country's president called a "disastrous mistake," with air defenses firing in error while on alert after Iranian missile strikes on US targets in Iraq. Also read: Great tragedy and unforgivable mistake: Iranian president on military 'unintentionally' shooting down Ukrainian airplane "Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered," Trudeau said in a news conference in Ottawa on Saturday. "It is absolutely necessary that Canada participate in this investigation. We expect the full cooperation of Iranian authorities," Trudeau added. The memorial in Edmonton follows several days of grief in Canada, including candlelight vigils in many cities. Memorials are also planned on Sunday in Toronto. "The community is unbelievable. The people feel whole Canada is hugging them," said Reza Akbari, president of the Iranian Heritage Society of Edmonton. Mourners placed flowers and scattered rose petals this week outside the office of University of Alberta engineering professor Pedram Mousavi, who died in the crash with his wife, engineering professor Mojgan Daneshmand, and their two daughters. "They were both so kind and caring," wrote Dennis Ramsawak, who took classes with both professors, in an online memorial. "I'm so heartbroken. It's a great loss for the community." Edmonton's Iranian community is collecting funds to pay funeral and other expenses for the victims' families. Some Edmonton relatives have already traveled to Iran to bury relatives, Akbari said, adding that transporting remains to Canada for burial would be complex and costly.

Canada's Trudeau to attend Iran crash victim memorial in hard-hit Edmonton

Iranian protesters and newspapers&nbsp;piled&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-iran-saudi-arabia-to-discuss-developments-in-middle-east-273726">Tehran</a> on Sunday&nbsp;after&nbsp;Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Ukrainian airliner</a>.

Riot police fired teargas at thousands of&nbsp;Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at&nbsp;Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Ali Khamenei</a>.

Reports of the&nbsp;protests&nbsp;were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, while video clips circulated on social media.

Tehran residents told reporters&nbsp;that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning.

Watch:&nbsp;Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane

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"Apologise and resign,"&nbsp;Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crisis to quit.

All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them&nbsp;Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed.

Protests&nbsp;erupted&nbsp;after&nbsp;Saturday's&nbsp;admission&nbsp;that the military accidentally shot down the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Ukraine International Airlines</a>&nbsp;plane&nbsp;minutes&nbsp;after&nbsp;takeoff on Wednesday when&nbsp;Iranian forces were alert for US&nbsp;reprisals&nbsp;after&nbsp;tit-for-tat&nbsp;strikes.

For days,&nbsp;Iranian officials had vigorously denied it was to blame, even as Canada, which had 57 citizens on the flight, and the United States said their intelligence indicated an&nbsp;Iranian missile was to blame, albeit probably fired in error.

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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. <a href="https://t.co/4dkePxupzm">https://t.co/4dkePxupzm</a>
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) <a href="https://twitter.com/HassanRouhani/status/1215856679423823872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologised. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger about the delayed&nbsp;admission when he said he had told the authorities a missile hit the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;the day it crashed.

Another moderate daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, or the Islamic Republic, wrote in an editorial: "Those who delayed publishing the reason behind the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash and damaged people's trust in the establishment should be dismissed or should resign."

Criticism of the authorities in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is not unusual, but it tends to stay in narrow boundaries.

The press attacks and&nbsp;protests&nbsp;add to challenges facing the establishment, which in November faced the country's bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

As Saturday's&nbsp;protests&nbsp;spread across&nbsp;Iran, including major cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh, US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Donald Trump</a> said on Twitter: "We are following your&nbsp;protests&nbsp;closely, and are inspired by your courage."

"There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he said, posting his tweets in both Farsi and English.

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The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1216120362230067202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Britain said its ambassador in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;had been briefly detained on Saturday by the authorities in Tehran. A news agency said he was detained outside a university for inciting&nbsp;protests.

Condemning the arrest, British Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-denounces-brief-arrest-of-envoy-in-tehran-as-violation-of-law-273690">Dominic Raab</a> said&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;"can continue its march towards pariah status&nbsp;or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards."

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Foreign Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/DominicRaab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DominicRaab</a> calls brief detention of <a href="https://twitter.com/HMATehran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMATehran</a> a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: <a href="https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb">https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb</a>
— Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/foreignoffice/status/1216114167888912385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Protests&nbsp;inside&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;followed a build-up of tension between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then re-imposed sanctions that have steadily crippled the&nbsp;Iranian economy.

On January&nbsp;3, a US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike&nbsp;in Iraq killed prominent&nbsp;Iranian commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-general-soleimanis-killing-was-self-defense-us-ambassador-kelly-craft-to-un-273117">Qasem Soleimani</a>, responsible for building up&nbsp;Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond, and Tehran responded with missile&nbsp;strikes on US&nbsp;targets in Iraq.

No US&nbsp;soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;that, the Ukrainian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Boeing 737</a> was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and then brought down by a missile fired in error by an operator who mistook the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;for an attacker.

<img alt="Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="93f67be6-2401-4cdf-a0e8-7eef59ffee84" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_8.jpg" /> 
[ Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine&nbsp;(Courtesy: Reuters) ]

"Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;must take full responsibility," Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ottawa-lowers-canadian-death-toll-in-iran-air-crash-to-57-273604">Justin Trudeau</a> said.

Trudeau said&nbsp;Iranian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Hassan Rouhani</a> had committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing dialogue.

Rallying to the establishment,&nbsp;Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system.

Iranian officials sought to portray the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation&nbsp;after&nbsp;Soleimani's death in a US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike.

Soleimani's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described a show of national unity. But the displays of emotion have been swiftly overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general.

Public fury at&nbsp;Iran's authorities had grown as questions about the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash mounted.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-warns-iran-nuclear-deal-may-collapse-273585">Iranians</a> on social media asked why officials were busy fending off criticism from abroad rather than sympathising with grieving families. Others asked why the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;was allowed to take off at a time of high tension.

Iranian protesters and newspapers piled pressure on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday after Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner.

Iranian protesters and newspapers piled pressure on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday after Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner. Riot police fired teargas at thousands of Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Reports of the protests were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, while video clips circulated on social media. Tehran residents told reporters that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning. Watch: Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane × "Apologise and resign," Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the plane crisis to quit. All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed. Protests erupted after Saturday's admission that the military accidentally shot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane minutes after takeoff on Wednesday when Iranian forces were alert for US reprisals after tit-for-tat strikes. For days, Iranian officials had vigorously denied it was to blame, even as Canada, which had 57 citizens on the flight, and the United States said their intelligence indicated an Iranian missile was to blame, albeit probably fired in error. 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. https://t.co/4dkePxupzm — Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020 × Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologised. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger about the delayed admission when he said he had told the authorities a missile hit the plane the day it crashed. Another moderate daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, or the Islamic Republic, wrote in an editorial: "Those who delayed publishing the reason behind the plane crash and damaged people's trust in the establishment should be dismissed or should resign." Criticism of the authorities in Iran is not unusual, but it tends to stay in narrow boundaries. The press attacks and protests add to challenges facing the establishment, which in November faced the country's bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution. As Saturday's protests spread across Iran, including major cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh, US President Donald Trump said on Twitter: "We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage." "There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he said, posting his tweets in both Farsi and English. The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020 × Britain said its ambassador in Iran had been briefly detained on Saturday by the authorities in Tehran. A news agency said he was detained outside a university for inciting protests. Condemning the arrest, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Iran "can continue its march towards pariah status or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards." Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab calls brief detention of @HMATehran a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb — Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) January 11, 2020 × Protests inside Iran followed a build-up of tension between Iran and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then re-imposed sanctions that have steadily crippled the Iranian economy. On January 3, a US drone strike in Iraq killed prominent Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, responsible for building up Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond, and Tehran responded with missile strikes on US targets in Iraq. No US soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours after that, the Ukrainian Boeing 737 was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and then brought down by a missile fired in error by an operator who mistook the plane for an attacker. [ Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific. Iran must take full responsibility," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. Trudeau said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing dialogue. Rallying to the establishment, Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system. Iranian officials sought to portray the plane disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation after Soleimani's death in a US drone strike. Soleimani's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described a show of national unity. But the displays of emotion have been swiftly overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general. Public fury at Iran's authorities had grown as questions about the plane crash mounted. Iranians on social media asked why officials were busy fending off criticism from abroad rather than sympathising with grieving families. Others asked why the plane was allowed to take off at a time of high tension.

Iranians step up protests after Tehran's admission that it shot down Ukrainian airliner

The year 2019 ended with a significant event. An unprecedented joint naval drill conducted by Iran, China and Russia. The setting was crucial, so was the message from Iran. The four day long exercise was held in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman - the most crucial waters for international oil trade. An Iranian admiral told the state broadcaster that the result of this exercise will be “to show that Iran cannot be isolated.” While this was viewed as directed at the US, it held meaning for India too.

It is losing ground to China again. India has invested time and money in developing the very important <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-iran-to-speed-up-chabahar-project-reaffirm-unbreakable-ties-269590">Chabahar port in Iran</a>. India views it as a gateway for trade in Central Asia and Afghanistan. But India has wavered and now succumbed to American pressure. China on the other hand has sided with Iran and is making swift moves to incorporate Iran’s transit infrastructure into its Belt and Road Initiative. Disappointed with Delhi’s decisions, Iran has hinted that Chabahar could be linked to Pakistan’s Gwadar port, which China is developing. The result isn’t hard to imagine. China’s economic domination of Central Asia, and India’s energy insecurity and shrinking options of connectivity.

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The joint development of Chabahar was agreed upon in 2003. India’s position vis-a-vis Iran has been inconsistent since. India voted against Iran at the IAEA on multiple occasions. International sanctions on Iran put speed breakers on the port project. In 2018, the US under President Trump exited the Iran nuclear deal and imposed more sanctions. While Chabahar was exempted from the sanctions, business became unviable for Indian companies there. In 2019, India slashed the budget for the port by more than two-thirds — from Rs 150 crores to just Rs 45 crores, all the while saying that the government remains committed to the project. With China pushing more aggressively, India’s foreign minister visited Iran to reaffirm the government’s commitment and accelerate cooperation. But India isn’t putting its money where its mouth is.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-hopes-the-us-iran-tensions-wons-impact-chabahar-project-272800" hreflang="en">Afghanistan hopes the US-Iran tensions won't impact Chabahar project</a>

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<h5>The current escalation of the crisis between the US and Iran only means more bad news for India.</h5>
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Simultaneously, India stopped buying oil from Iran. For a country that maintains it only recognizes UN sanctions and not unilateral country-specific ones, this was a move that hurt India’s relationship with Iran further. India imports 84 per cent of its oil. Domestic production has fallen in recent years. India is the world’s third biggest oil consumer and Iran was India’s third-biggest supplier. Iran’s loss, not surprisingly, has been America’s gain. India’s oil imports from the US have shot up. Delhi has labeled this as “diversification of its energy sources.” But the decision puts a question mark on the government’s much talked about “strategic autonomy.”

The current escalation of the crisis between the US and Iran only means more bad news for India. Delhi’s response to Qassem Soleimani’s killing was mature and measured. Iran welcomed mediation from India to de-escalate the situation. This was an opportunity to take a stand, play a bigger role, try to broker peace and raise India’s stature as a global leader. Instead, India is pretending it did not notice the offer.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/qasem-soleimanis-death-opens-a-door-to-alternative-security-arrangements-in-the-gulf-272710">Qasem Soleimani’s death opens a door to alternative security arrangements in the Gulf</a>

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India’s acquiescence is a win-win for the US. It sells more oil to India. It uses India as a potential leverage against China. And it squeezes Iran further by depriving it of a major trading partner and oil buyer.

But what’s in it for India? Delhi’s relationship with Tehran is as much a factor of geography as of history. Cultural ties go back several millennia. We won’t dwell on that because this, we understand, is the phase of “pragmatic partnerships” sans romanticism. So here’s the business end of it. Even in terms of energy security and strategic connectivity, distancing Iran makes little sense for India. It has the world’s richest gas reserves and the fourth-largest oil reserves. It sits at a geostrategic vantage point, along the Strait of Hormuz. Two-thirds of the oil and half the LNG that India imports pass through this Strait.

India’s drift towards the US is happening at the cost of ties with Iran. The losses from this shift are evident — the alienation of an old and reliable economic and strategic partner like Iran and the cession of ground to China. The gains though, still remain the realm of possibility, guided by the idiosyncrasies and self-interest of a country led by Donald Trump.&nbsp;

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The year 2019 ended with a significant event. An unprecedented joint naval drill conducted by Iran, China and Russia. The setting was crucial, so was the message from Iran.

The year 2019 ended with a significant event. An unprecedented joint naval drill conducted by Iran, China and Russia. The setting was crucial, so was the message from Iran. The four day long exercise was held in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman - the most crucial waters for international oil trade. An Iranian admiral told the state broadcaster that the result of this exercise will be “to show that Iran cannot be isolated.” While this was viewed as directed at the US, it held meaning for India too. It is losing ground to China again. India has invested time and money in developing the very important Chabahar port in Iran. India views it as a gateway for trade in Central Asia and Afghanistan. But India has wavered and now succumbed to American pressure. China on the other hand has sided with Iran and is making swift moves to incorporate Iran’s transit infrastructure into its Belt and Road Initiative. Disappointed with Delhi’s decisions, Iran has hinted that Chabahar could be linked to Pakistan’s Gwadar port, which China is developing. The result isn’t hard to imagine. China’s economic domination of Central Asia, and India’s energy insecurity and shrinking options of connectivity. The joint development of Chabahar was agreed upon in 2003. India’s position vis-a-vis Iran has been inconsistent since. India voted against Iran at the IAEA on multiple occasions. International sanctions on Iran put speed breakers on the port project. In 2018, the US under President Trump exited the Iran nuclear deal and imposed more sanctions. While Chabahar was exempted from the sanctions, business became unviable for Indian companies there. In 2019, India slashed the budget for the port by more than two-thirds — from Rs 150 crores to just Rs 45 crores, all the while saying that the government remains committed to the project. With China pushing more aggressively, India’s foreign minister visited Iran to reaffirm the government’s commitment and accelerate cooperation. But India isn’t putting its money where its mouth is. Also read: Afghanistan hopes the US-Iran tensions won't impact Chabahar project The current escalation of the crisis between the US and Iran only means more bad news for India. × Simultaneously, India stopped buying oil from Iran. For a country that maintains it only recognizes UN sanctions and not unilateral country-specific ones, this was a move that hurt India’s relationship with Iran further. India imports 84 per cent of its oil. Domestic production has fallen in recent years. India is the world’s third biggest oil consumer and Iran was India’s third-biggest supplier. Iran’s loss, not surprisingly, has been America’s gain. India’s oil imports from the US have shot up. Delhi has labeled this as “diversification of its energy sources.” But the decision puts a question mark on the government’s much talked about “strategic autonomy.” The current escalation of the crisis between the US and Iran only means more bad news for India. Delhi’s response to Qassem Soleimani’s killing was mature and measured. Iran welcomed mediation from India to de-escalate the situation. This was an opportunity to take a stand, play a bigger role, try to broker peace and raise India’s stature as a global leader. Instead, India is pretending it did not notice the offer. Also read: Qasem Soleimani’s death opens a door to alternative security arrangements in the Gulf India’s acquiescence is a win-win for the US. It sells more oil to India. It uses India as a potential leverage against China. And it squeezes Iran further by depriving it of a major trading partner and oil buyer. But what’s in it for India? Delhi’s relationship with Tehran is as much a factor of geography as of history. Cultural ties go back several millennia. We won’t dwell on that because this, we understand, is the phase of “pragmatic partnerships” sans romanticism. So here’s the business end of it. Even in terms of energy security and strategic connectivity, distancing Iran makes little sense for India. It has the world’s richest gas reserves and the fourth-largest oil reserves. It sits at a geostrategic vantage point, along the Strait of Hormuz. Two-thirds of the oil and half the LNG that India imports pass through this Strait. India’s drift towards the US is happening at the cost of ties with Iran. The losses from this shift are evident — the alienation of an old and reliable economic and strategic partner like Iran and the cession of ground to China. The gains though, still remain the realm of possibility, guided by the idiosyncrasies and self-interest of a country led by Donald Trump. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India is losing the Iran plot

In an interview to an American news channel, US President Donald Trump has said that slain Iranian top military commander Qasem Soleimani was plotting attacks on "probably four US embassies".&nbsp;

Earlier Trump had said that Qasem Soleimani contributed to "terrorist plots <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-contributed-to-plotting-terror-attacks-in-new-delhi-london-trump-272027">as far away as New Delhi and London</a>".

On January 3, the US carried out strikes at Iraq's Baghdad International Airport which killed Iran's elite military force's chief Qasem Soleimani.&nbsp;

Soleimani's killing infuriated Tehran which vowed to avenge its top military chief's assassination and fired over a dozen ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Unforgivable mistake - Rouhani on military shooting down Ukrainian plane</a>

Iranian foreign minister stated that the missiles strike was not to escalate tensions or prompt a military war but an act of self-defence in accordance with the UN charter.&nbsp;

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On Friday, Washington <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-retaliation-to-missile-attacks-us-imposes-more-sanctions-on-iran-273480">announced fresh sanctions</a> against Iran and its officials in retaliation to the attack on its military bases housing US troops in Iraq.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Iranian military and top leadership on Saturday claimed responsibility of accidentally downing the Ukrainian International Airlines plane which claimed over 170 lives.&nbsp;

In a tweet, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the mishap as a "great tragedy and unforgivable mistake". Foreign minister Javad Zarif regretted the "human error" and said that "crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster".

 
&nbsp;

In an interview to an American news channel, US President Donald Trump has said that slain Iranian top military commander Qasem Soleimani was plotting attacks on "probably four US embassies".

In an interview to an American news channel, US President Donald Trump has said that slain Iranian top military commander Qasem Soleimani was plotting attacks on "probably four US embassies". Earlier Trump had said that Qasem Soleimani contributed to "terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London". On January 3, the US carried out strikes at Iraq's Baghdad International Airport which killed Iran's elite military force's chief Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani's killing infuriated Tehran which vowed to avenge its top military chief's assassination and fired over a dozen ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq. Also read: Unforgivable mistake - Rouhani on military shooting down Ukrainian plane Iranian foreign minister stated that the missiles strike was not to escalate tensions or prompt a military war but an act of self-defence in accordance with the UN charter. × On Friday, Washington announced fresh sanctions against Iran and its officials in retaliation to the attack on its military bases housing US troops in Iraq. Meanwhile, Iranian military and top leadership on Saturday claimed responsibility of accidentally downing the Ukrainian International Airlines plane which claimed over 170 lives. In a tweet, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the mishap as a "great tragedy and unforgivable mistake". Foreign minister Javad Zarif regretted the "human error" and said that "crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster".

Soleimani was 'probably' planning to attack four US embassies: Donald Trump

How does an anti-aircraft missile differentiate between passenger and war plane?

Ukrainian experts have gained access to the black box flight recorders of the Ukrainian plane that crashed in Iran, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko confirmed on Friday. "Our team has now got access to the black boxes," Prystaiko told a briefing. #WION #Iran #Ukraine

Iran gives black box to Ukraine

The Canadian government, under pressure at home to be tougher on Iran over intelligence reports it shot down a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-given-important-data-on-iran-plane-crash-ukraine-foreign-minister-273408">passenger jet</a>, on Friday reiterated calls for a full probe into the disaster and warned Tehran that "the world is watching".

Friends and families of some of the Canadians killed when a Ukrainian airliner crashed outside Tehran are demanding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau take a harder stance after accusing Iran of downing the plane, albeit probably by mistake. Iran denies the charge.

"Time will tell and the world is watching," said Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne when asked whether Iran was conducting its probe into what happened in good faith.

"I think transparency is what the international community is looking for now," he told a news conference.

Champagne said Ottawa now thought 57 Canadians died in the crash, down from an initial 63, and said an emergency task force was being created to help the families of the victims.

While Trudeau faces pressure at home to respond strongly, he has few options, especially after Canada broke off diplomatic relations with Tehran in 2012. Iran has said it will allow Canadian, US&nbsp;and other international officials to participate in the investigation into Wednesday's crash.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gets-access-to-crashed-planes-black-boxes-foreign-minister-273477">Ukraine gets access to crashed plane's black boxes, says foreign minister</a>

The prime minister "completely misses the point" when he does not condemn the Iranian government, said Ali Ashtari, 39, a data scientist from Toronto who lost a friend in the crash.

Ashtari said Canada should designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and impose sanctions on them. The government already lists the IRGC's overseas arm, the Quds Force, as a terrorist group.

"This is the minimum that we want from the government," Ashtari said at a vigil in Toronto. "Otherwise it's just giving speech with teary eyes, it gives nothing."

Trudeau said Ottawa had demanded Canadian access to Iran to provide consular services, identify victims and participate in the crash investigation.

Champagne said Iran had granted two visas so far to Canadian officials.

The crash on Wednesday, which killed all 176 people on board, occurred as Iran was on alert for possible reprisals after it launched missiles on bases housing US&nbsp;troops in Iraq.

"We would just urge him (Trudeau) to use all his power to find out what really happened and hold the responsible accountable," Amir Arsalani, who lost his sister, her husband and their one-year-old daughter, told Reuters.

Trudeau sidestepped questions on Thursday as to whether the United States should be held at least partially responsible given that Iran's attack on US&nbsp;forces was in retaliation for a US drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, former Quds Force leader.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. cited two government sources as saying Washington should have warned Canada in advance about the drone strike. Ottawa also wants a more thorough explanation of the thinking behind the attack, they added.

Champagne did not answer questions about whether Canada should have been warned.

Ottawa is focusing in talks with allies on how it can play as large a role as possible in the probe rather than expressing anger against either Iran or the United States, according to three sources familiar with the private conversations.

"There has been no fingerpointing or blame at this stage," said one of the sources, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.

Relations between Trudeau and US&nbsp;President Donald Trump are formal at best, with Trudeau last month caught on camera joking about Trump, and the president calling him "two-faced".

There was no benefit to the government to further sour relations by making "a big public statement" about the United States, said Stephanie Carvin, a former national security analyst and international relations professor at Carleton University in Ottawa.

Ottawa's best option for now was to persuade like-minded nations to put pressure on Iran, she added.

Champagne said Canada had formed a coordinating group with Britain, Ukraine, Sweden and Afghanistan to help the families of the victims and pressure Iran for a full probe.

Trudeau has few ways to punish Iran in the short term. Bilateral trade - already limited by sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program - totalled just over C$200 million in 2018.

Trudeau was due to meet privately with family members of the victims in Toronto on Friday.

The Canadian government, under pressure at home to be tougher on Iran over intelligence reports it shot down a passenger jet, on Friday reiterated calls for a full probe into the disaster and warned Tehran that "the world is watching".

The Canadian government, under pressure at home to be tougher on Iran over intelligence reports it shot down a passenger jet, on Friday reiterated calls for a full probe into the disaster and warned Tehran that "the world is watching". Friends and families of some of the Canadians killed when a Ukrainian airliner crashed outside Tehran are demanding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau take a harder stance after accusing Iran of downing the plane, albeit probably by mistake. Iran denies the charge. "Time will tell and the world is watching," said Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne when asked whether Iran was conducting its probe into what happened in good faith. "I think transparency is what the international community is looking for now," he told a news conference. Champagne said Ottawa now thought 57 Canadians died in the crash, down from an initial 63, and said an emergency task force was being created to help the families of the victims. While Trudeau faces pressure at home to respond strongly, he has few options, especially after Canada broke off diplomatic relations with Tehran in 2012. Iran has said it will allow Canadian, US and other international officials to participate in the investigation into Wednesday's crash. Also read: Ukraine gets access to crashed plane's black boxes, says foreign minister The prime minister "completely misses the point" when he does not condemn the Iranian government, said Ali Ashtari, 39, a data scientist from Toronto who lost a friend in the crash. Ashtari said Canada should designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and impose sanctions on them. The government already lists the IRGC's overseas arm, the Quds Force, as a terrorist group. "This is the minimum that we want from the government," Ashtari said at a vigil in Toronto. "Otherwise it's just giving speech with teary eyes, it gives nothing." Trudeau said Ottawa had demanded Canadian access to Iran to provide consular services, identify victims and participate in the crash investigation. Champagne said Iran had granted two visas so far to Canadian officials. The crash on Wednesday, which killed all 176 people on board, occurred as Iran was on alert for possible reprisals after it launched missiles on bases housing US troops in Iraq. "We would just urge him (Trudeau) to use all his power to find out what really happened and hold the responsible accountable," Amir Arsalani, who lost his sister, her husband and their one-year-old daughter, told Reuters. Trudeau sidestepped questions on Thursday as to whether the United States should be held at least partially responsible given that Iran's attack on US forces was in retaliation for a US drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, former Quds Force leader. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. cited two government sources as saying Washington should have warned Canada in advance about the drone strike. Ottawa also wants a more thorough explanation of the thinking behind the attack, they added. Champagne did not answer questions about whether Canada should have been warned. Ottawa is focusing in talks with allies on how it can play as large a role as possible in the probe rather than expressing anger against either Iran or the United States, according to three sources familiar with the private conversations. "There has been no fingerpointing or blame at this stage," said one of the sources, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation. Relations between Trudeau and US President Donald Trump are formal at best, with Trudeau last month caught on camera joking about Trump, and the president calling him "two-faced". There was no benefit to the government to further sour relations by making "a big public statement" about the United States, said Stephanie Carvin, a former national security analyst and international relations professor at Carleton University in Ottawa. Ottawa's best option for now was to persuade like-minded nations to put pressure on Iran, she added. Champagne said Canada had formed a coordinating group with Britain, Ukraine, Sweden and Afghanistan to help the families of the victims and pressure Iran for a full probe. Trudeau has few ways to punish Iran in the short term. Bilateral trade - already limited by sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program - totalled just over C$200 million in 2018. Trudeau was due to meet privately with family members of the victims in Toronto on Friday.

Canada, under pressure at home over plane crash, warns Iran world is watching

The Twitter page of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been temporarily suspended.

Khamenei in his last tweet had hit out at Trump administration and said that killing of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-tensions-washington-turns-down-iraqi-request-to-remove-troops-273509">Qasem Soleimani </a>had united people of Iran.

The account was blocked just hours after Iran admitted to unintentionally downing a Boeing 737.

There has been no <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">official statement </a>from Twitter about the reasons behind their decision to suspend Khamenei's account.

Earlier in the day, Khamenei held an emergency meeting during which he called for public disclosure of the probe findings into the tragedy.

The Twitter page of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been temporarily suspended. Khamenei in his last tweet had hit out at Trump administration and said that killing of Qasem Soleimani had united people of Iran.

The Twitter page of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been temporarily suspended. Khamenei in his last tweet had hit out at Trump administration and said that killing of Qasem Soleimani had united people of Iran. The account was blocked just hours after Iran admitted to unintentionally downing a Boeing 737. There has been no official statement from Twitter about the reasons behind their decision to suspend Khamenei's account. Earlier in the day, Khamenei held an emergency meeting during which he called for public disclosure of the probe findings into the tragedy.

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei's Twitter account temporarily suspended

Reactions have begun to pour in after Iran has admitted that it unintentionally brought down Ukrainian International Airlines airplane. As per the reports, the Ukrainian plane had flown close to a sensitive military site. The crash killed all 176 people who were on board including many Iranians and Canadians. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the closure and the accountability needed. Russia has said that it is time for Iran to learn lessons from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17). #WION #Iran #IranPlaneCrash

Downing of Ukrainian airplane by Iran was a human error?

From losses in the stock market to a spike in oil markets. The US operation to kill an Iranian General could trigger fresh troubles from India. Palki Sharma tells you how tensions in West Asia could have a major impact on India. #Gravitas #WestAsiaCrisis #SoleimaniKilling

Gravitas: West Asia Crisis: How a conflict would hurt India

Russia: Iran must learn from MH17 crash

President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Saturday that Iran punish those <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">responsible for the downing of a Ukrainian airliner</a>, pay compensation and apologise.

"We expect Iran... to bring the guilty to the courts," the Ukrainian leader wrote on Facebook, calling also for the "payment of compensation" and the return of remains.

Tehran admitted Saturday that it accidentally downed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-given-important-data-on-iran-plane-crash-ukraine-foreign-minister-273408">Ukraine International Airlines</a> (UIA) plane, killing all 176 people on board on Wednesday, shortly after launching missiles at bases hosting US forces in Iraq.

"We hope the inquiry will be pursued without deliberate delay and without obstruction," Zelensky added

He urged "total access" to the full inquiry for 45 Ukrainian experts, and in a tweet also sought an "official apology".

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said earlier Saturday that Tehran "deeply regrets this disastrous mistake".

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UIA chief Yevhenii Dykhne also posted on Facebook, saying: "We never had any doubt that our crew and our plane could be the cause of this terrible catastrophe. They were the best."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-aircraft-was-not-hit-by-a-missile-irans-civil-aviation-chief-273368">Ukraine</a> said Friday its experts dispatched to Iran had been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gets-access-to-crashed-planes-black-boxes-foreign-minister-273477">granted access to the flight's black boxes</a>, debris from the plane, the crash site and to recordings of conversations between the pilot and the airport control tower.

Iran's official IRNA news agency published a statement from the military saying the Boeing 737 was mistaken for a "hostile plane" at a time when threats were at the highest level.

Tehran has invited the United States, Ukraine, Canada and others to join the crash investigation.

The majority of passengers on UIA Flight PS752 from Tehran to Kiev were Iranian-Canadian dual nationals but also included Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes

Many in Kiev have compared the crash to the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 killing 298 people over eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists are fighting government forces.

Moscow has denied the findings of international investigators that a Russian BUK misile hit the Malaysian flight.

"Iran has shown itself more civilised than Russia," pro-western Ukraine MP Volodymyr Ariev wrote on Facebook.

"Tehran has admitted its guilt in three days while Russia continues to try to get out of it."

President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Saturday that Iran punish those responsible for the downing of a Ukrainian airliner, pay compensation and apologise. "We expect Iran.

President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Saturday that Iran punish those responsible for the downing of a Ukrainian airliner, pay compensation and apologise. "We expect Iran... to bring the guilty to the courts," the Ukrainian leader wrote on Facebook, calling also for the "payment of compensation" and the return of remains. Tehran admitted Saturday that it accidentally downed the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plane, killing all 176 people on board on Wednesday, shortly after launching missiles at bases hosting US forces in Iraq. "We hope the inquiry will be pursued without deliberate delay and without obstruction," Zelensky added He urged "total access" to the full inquiry for 45 Ukrainian experts, and in a tweet also sought an "official apology". Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said earlier Saturday that Tehran "deeply regrets this disastrous mistake". × UIA chief Yevhenii Dykhne also posted on Facebook, saying: "We never had any doubt that our crew and our plane could be the cause of this terrible catastrophe. They were the best." Ukraine said Friday its experts dispatched to Iran had been granted access to the flight's black boxes, debris from the plane, the crash site and to recordings of conversations between the pilot and the airport control tower. Iran's official IRNA news agency published a statement from the military saying the Boeing 737 was mistaken for a "hostile plane" at a time when threats were at the highest level. Tehran has invited the United States, Ukraine, Canada and others to join the crash investigation. The majority of passengers on UIA Flight PS752 from Tehran to Kiev were Iranian-Canadian dual nationals but also included Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes Many in Kiev have compared the crash to the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 killing 298 people over eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists are fighting government forces. Moscow has denied the findings of international investigators that a Russian BUK misile hit the Malaysian flight. "Iran has shown itself more civilised than Russia," pro-western Ukraine MP Volodymyr Ariev wrote on Facebook. "Tehran has admitted its guilt in three days while Russia continues to try to get out of it."

Ukraine demands punishment, compensation for airliner downed by Iran

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the closure and the accountability needed after Iran has admitted that it unintentionally brought down Ukrainian International Airlines airplane. As per the reports, the Ukrainian plane had flown close to a sensitive military site. The crash killed all 176 people who were on board including many Iranians and Canadians. #WION #Iran #IranPlaneCrash #JavadZarif #Trudeau

Justin Trudeau: Closure, accountability needed

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