Iran Accidentally Shoots Down Ukrainian Passenger Plane, Killing 176

Iran's IRGC mistakenly fires two surface-to-air missiles at a Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737, killing all 176 on board during the tense hours after its attack on US bases.

In the early hours of January 8, 2020 — minutes after Iran launched missiles at US bases in Iraq and amid fears of American retaliation — the IRGC's air defense system locked onto Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752 shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport. Two surface-to-air missiles were fired, bringing down the Boeing 737-800 and killing all 176 people aboard, including 82 Iranians and 63 Canadian-Iranian dual citizens. Iran initially denied responsibility and claimed engine failure. Only after international investigators pointed to clear evidence did Iran admit its forces had shot down the plane by mistake. The incident sparked protests inside Iran against the government, with crowds shouting slogans against Supreme Leader Khamenei.