Hundreds of Iranians have taken to the streets of Tehran to protest their government's "lies" over the downing of a Ukrainian plane.
After it crashed on January 8, the Iranian authorities denied speculation they'd accidentally shot it down, amid tensions with the US. One even claimed it was "scientifically impossible" for the Boeing 737-800 to have been hit by an Iranian missile.
On Saturday (NZ time) President Hassan Rouhani finally admitted an "unforgivable mistake" had been made, offering his "sincerest condolences" to the families of the 176 victims.
Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said it was "human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism", the plane being shot down just hours after Iran fired warning shots at US bases, after the US assassination of a top Iranian general.
About 1000 protesters gathered in the Iranian capital and chanted slogans such as "down with lies" and demanded Rouhani's resignation, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. Reuters called it a "rare report on anti-government unrest".
Also rare was an apology from Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which accepted responsibility for the mistake.
Senior Guards commander Amirali Hajizadeh even told state TV he wished he "could die" after hearing what had happened.
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"The operator identified what his air defence system had detected as an incoming cruise missile... This is the cost from the mischief, inflammation, and actions of the US in the region. Really that night we were ready for a full-scale conflict."
An Iranian military statement said those responsible would be held accountable.
Wagging the dog?
University of Otago international relations expert Robert Patman told Newshub there was "no doubt" the escalating tensions with the US was behind the blunder.
"Unfortunately I think [US President Donald] Trump's actions made them extremely insecure, which led to this tragic accident. There's no doubt about it - Iranian nerves were probably strained to breaking point."
As for what triggered the tensions - the US drone strike with killed Iran general Qassem Soleimani - Dr Patman doubts the US claims he was plotting an imminent attack on US interests.
"There is an alarming report coming out of the Wall Street Journal that Trump's decision was not designed to deter Iran - it was more to do with appeasing members of his own party so that they would support him in the forthcoming impeachment process."
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to deliver the impeachment charges to the Senate next week, triggering a trial which could possibly result in Trump's removal from office.
