Senior foreign ministers have demanded Iran take “full responsibility” over the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet which killed 176 including four Britons.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met counterparts Francois-Philippe Champagne, from Canada, Vadym Prystaiko, of Ukraine, Ann Linde, from Sweden, and Idrees Zaman, of Afghanistan – whose countries all lost citizens in the crash shortly after take-off in Tehran.
They said in a statement: “Iran assumes full responsibility and recognises its duties towards the families of the victims – including compensation.”
The meeting at Canada House in central London, also attended by Stef Blok from the Netherlands, followed a solemn candle-lighting ceremony for victims.
The nations called for a “thorough, independent, transparent international investigation”. They also want “accountability” and “transparent, impartial judicial proceedings”.
They demanded victims are handled with “dignity” in line with family wishes.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has sent a team of investigators to Tehran to aid his country’s citizens.
Britons Sam Zokaei, Saeed Tahmasebi and Mohammad Reza Kadkhoda-Zadeh were among the dead.
Saeed’s wife Niloofar was also killed. Iran has admitted shooting down the aircraft in error.
