TEHRAN - President Hassan Rouhani issued a statement on Saturday saying that investigations will continue to identify and prosecute all those involved in the unintentional downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane near Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport on January 8.

On Saturday, the Armed Force General Staff issued a statement saying that the plane was shot down due to a “human error”.

The plane crashed shortly after taking off from the Imam Khomeini Airport, leading to the death of 176 people on board.

Rouhani noted that his country "deeply regrets this disastrous mistake".

Rouhani’s text message is as follows:

With the utmost regret and sorrow, hours ago I was informed of the outcome of the General Staff of the Armed Forces’ investigation into the Ukrainian passenger plane crash. In the atmosphere of threats and intimidation by the aggressive American regime against the Iranian nation after the martyrdom of General Qassem Soleimani, and in order to defend ourselves against possible attacks by the American Army, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran were on full alert, which unfortunately led to this terrible catastrophe, taking the lives of dozens of innocent people because of human error and mistaken shooting.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply sorry by this disastrous mistake, and I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic incident on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran and instruct all related bodies to take all necessary measures to compensate and sympathize with the bereaved families. I also express my deep condolences and sympathy of the Iranian government to the nations, governments, and families of non-Iranian victims. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be in full consular cooperation to identify and return the bodies of victims to their families.

This painful accident is not something that can be easily overlooked. Further investigation is needed to identify all the causes and roots of this tragedy and prosecute the perpetrators of this unforgivable mistake and inform the honorable people of Iran and the families of the victims about it.

It is also necessary to adopt the required arrangements and measures to address the weaknesses of the country's defense systems to make sure such a disaster is never repeated.

Again, I extend my condolences to the families of the victims of this painful accident, praying for those who lost their lives and wishing their bereaved families patience and rewards.

NA/PA