Tasnim � Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei ordered the Iranian Armed Forces to hold an inquiry about the faults and shortcomings that resulted in the unintentional downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane by the air defense.

In a message of sympathy over the crash of a Ukrainian jetliner near Tehran following a human error by the Iranian air defense, Ayatollah Khamenei said his grief over the tragic accident has become heavier after being notified of the results of the initial investigation conducted by the General Staff of the Armed Forces and after it became clear that a human error has been committed.

The Leader also once again expressed his deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of the incident, praying that God would comfort the bereaved families.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the General Staff of the Armed Forces emphatically to examine the possible shortcomings or faults that led to the painful incident.

The Leader finally urged the relevant officials to take the necessary cautionary measures in order to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces announced on Saturday that the country�s air defense unintentionally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane on January 8 amid the highest level of readiness because of a possible military attack by the US.