Iran urged the United States on Friday to wait for the results of the investigation into the crash of a Ukrainian airliner and dismissed as "a big lie" allegations coming from U.S. officials that missiles downed the plane, Iranian state media reported, quoting a government spokesman.
"No one will assume responsibility for such a big lie once it is known that the claim had been fraudulent," government spokesperson Ali Rabiei said in a statement, according to state-run Press TV, CNN reported.
"It is unfortunate that the psychological operation of the U.S. government, and those supporting it knowingly and unknowingly, are adding insult to the injury of the bereaved families and victimizing them for certain goals by propagating such fallacies," he added.
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Rabiei said according to international rules, the aviation organization of the country where the incident occurred (Iran), the aviation organization of the country that issued qualification for the flight (Ukraine), the owner of the plane (Ukraine), the factory builder of the plane (Boeing) and the factory builder of the engine of the plane (France) can take part in the investigation of the incident.
A delegation from Ukraine is already in Iran, Rabiei said. "We also welcome the participation of all countries which have lost their nationals in the mishap," he added.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Press TV on Thursday night, the head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization Ali Abedzadeh also rejected as "illogical rumors" reports that the Ukrainian plane that crashed south of the capital Tehran on Wednesday was hit by missiles.
It was reported earlier Thursday that the U.S. increasingly believes Iran mistakenly shot down the airliner, according to multiple U.S. officials. The working theory is based on continuing analysis of data from satellites, radar and electronic data collected routinely by U.S. military and intelligence.
Ukrainian experts deployed in Iran to take part in the investigation into the causes of the crash, following the examination of wreckage, said fire did not start from the engines.
