Iran: Ukraine Should Not Have Released Confidential Audio File

An audio file of a conversation between the pilot of Aseman Airlines flight and the control tower reveals that Iranian officials were aware of the missile attack on the Ukrainian aircraft. Islamic Republic officials claimed ignorance about the main cause of the plane’s crash for nearly three days.

The release of an audio file of a conversation between the second pilot of Tehran-Shiraz Aseman Airlines flight by a Ukrainian television network indicates that at the moment the missile struck the plane, the airport control tower and Islamic Republic officials were aware of it.

Associated Press reported on Monday, February 3rd, from Kyiv about the release of an audio file by the second pilot of Aseman Airlines regarding the missile attack on the Ukrainian passenger aircraft.

The audio file was released on the evening of Sunday, February 2nd, by one of Ukraine’s television networks. The “Unian” website also published the complete transcript of the conversation between the second pilot of Aseman Airlines flight and the control tower in English.

The Aseman Airlines flight from Tehran to Shiraz took place simultaneously with the missile attack on the Ukrainian aircraft. The second pilot of Aseman Airlines, in his communication with the control tower, reports the missile strike on the Ukrainian aircraft. The control tower then attempts several times to contact the pilot of Ukraine flight 752. An attempt that becomes unsuccessful due to the missile strike.

Despite being aware of the main cause of the plane’s crash, the Islamic Republic of Iran spoke of “technical malfunction” and “aviation accident.”

Following increased international pressure, after three days had passed, Islamic Republic officials admitted to the missile attack on the Ukrainian aircraft.

After that, news of two missiles striking the Ukrainian passenger aircraft became headline news. The Islamic Republic of Iran, in this regard as well, after initial denial, confirmed the news of firing two missiles at the said aircraft.

Confirming the Audio File

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, reported on the audio file on the evening of Sunday, February 2nd in a television report. The file was subsequently broadcast by the television network “1+1”.

Associated Press further reported, citing Hassan Rezaeifar, head of Iran’s investigation and examination team, that Iran had handed over this audio file to Ukraine to complete the investigation by Ukraine’s expert team.

In the said audio file, the Aseman Airlines pilot tells the airport control tower in Persian that the lights observed are caused by a missile strike on the Ukrainian aircraft. The control tower expresses ignorance about this news and asks: “How many missiles? Where?”

The pilot reports observing a large explosion. After that, the control tower attempts to contact the pilot of Ukraine flight 752, which proves unsuccessful.

Volodymyr Zelensky, in conversation with Ukraine’s “1+1” television network, says “This audio file actually shows that the Iranian side was aware from the very beginning of the crash of our aircraft due to missile fire and was aware of the firing of this missile from that very moment.”

The President of Ukraine once again called for the delivery of the black boxes of his country’s passenger aircraft. Associated Press further noted Iran’s displeasure over the release of this audio file.

Hassan Rezaeifar stated that the release of this audio file by Ukraine would result in Iran not providing any other documents to Ukraine’s expert team. The Islamic Republic has called the release of this audio file “unprofessional” and the file itself a “confidential document.”

Source: DW