US offers condolences after Ukraine plane crash in Iran

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. offered its "deepest condolences" on Wednesday after a Ukrainian plane crashed in Iran.

"The U.S. Department of State extends our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the 176 passengers and crew killed in the tragic crash," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement.

The top diplomat said U.S. is closely following the accident and is prepared to offer Ukraine assistance.

"The United States calls for complete cooperation with any investigation into the cause of the crash," said Pompeo.

All 176 on board were killed Wednesday when a Boeing 737-800 crashed minutes after taking off from an Iranian airport. Included were 63 Canadians, 82 Iranians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals.

The plane was headed to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.

The crash happened hours after an Iranian missile attack on American troops who were stationed on several Iraqi bases.

Iranian and Ukrainian officials speculated the crash was due to a mechanical malfunction. But the Ukrainian Embassy in Tehran later said the cause of the crash was not official.