Tag: Iran

11 Jan. – Sweden’s leadership responds to the Iranian admission of guilt

Sweden responds to Iran’s admission
pic: se.depositphotos.com

“Horrible and terrible” was Prime Minister Stefan Löfven’s response to Iran’s admission of guilt for shooting down the Ukrainian passenger plane. “That a civilian plane has been shot down, regardless if it was a mistake or not, is an action that must be condemned, and that Iran must take full responsibility for, also in regards to the affected parties.” Löfven again also conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families. “Here in Sweden, and throughout the world, people grieve the victims of the plane crash outside Tehran the 8th of January. I feel strongly for all those who lost someone dear to them.”

“I see that they have now taken their responsibility, now that the proof was, apparently, overwhelming” noted Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on Twitter.

Minister for Defense, Peter Hultqvist, also commented on P1 that it would not be enough that Iran conduct a thorough and transparent investigation – the country also has a responsibility to those who have been affected. “It’s too early to say exactly what that will come to mean […] there will be a reckoning at a later stage.” Hultqvist emphasized that Iran was completely responsible for what happened.

In related news, Hultqvist remained positive to Swedish troops remaining in nearby Iraq as long as they had a mandate from the Iraqi government to do so.

08 Jan. – Swedes killed in Iranian crash

many questions in conjunction with the crash
pic: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

The escalation in the Iran-USA standoff reached Sweden early this morning when a plane leaving Tehran for Kiev burst into flames and crashed, killing all on board. Swedish casualties are currently at ten, but other sources have the figure at seventeen.

“It’s a terrible and shocking event. Many Swedes have been lost. My thoughts go to the victims and their families” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Anne Linde. UD’s spokesperson Anna Lundbladh told DN that the ministry was working on site through the embassy in Tehran to get better information.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven echoed his minister’s comments, saying he was thinking of the victims, and called for an investigation into the crash’s causes.

Swede Peter Saffer has already been appointed the Swedish expert liaison for the crash, in accordance with the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. The plane was in the air only a few minutes before it crashed. According to Iranian authorities there were no distress signals received.

The plane was first announced to have suffered a mechanical failure, but that idea has since been thrown into doubt as the plane was less than four years old and the pilots were experienced. The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (haverikommissionen) have since said the accident’s causes will have to be determined.

Questions have also been raised as to whether the crash was a tragic accident or if it could somehow be connected to the rapid and recent escalation in tensions between the USA and Iran. The two black boxes from the plane have been recovered, but where their contents will be analysed is unresolved. Hans Kjäll, senior flight safety analyst at Nordic Safety Analysis Group, told SvD that there is uncertainty regarding Iran’s resources at this time. Normally, also the airline’s manufacturer, Boeing, would be involved with recovering the information but at this sensitive political juncture, their efforts could be unwelcome. Even what role and access Ukrainian authorities could be granted is uncertain. If Iran goes along with it, the boxes could also be sent to the French aviation security authority.

Here in Sweden, the names of the casualties will be released only after their relatives and family have been notified.