Iran downed Ukrainian plane unintentionally, due to human error - Lavrov
MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax) - Iran downed the Ukrainian plane unintentionally, due to human error, acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference on Friday.
"I am not trying to excuse anyone. It was a human mistake. I think everyone understands that it happened unintentionally," Lavrov said.
Shortly before the crash, Iran mounted a missile attack to retaliate against the U.S. killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani and was expecting new actions from the United States, he said.
"There is information that the Iranians were expecting another attack from the United States after the strike but did not know what form it might take. There were at least six F-35 fighters in the air in the Iranian border area. This information has yet to be verified, but I'd like to emphasize the edginess that always accompanies such situations," Lavrov said.