Iran plane crash negotiations are ‘futile,’ feds shifting focus to legal recourse

Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on Jan. 8, 2020, just moments after the civilian aircraft took off from the Tehran airport.

Attempts to negotiate with Iran towards compensation for the families of those who died in a horrific plane crash two years ago are “futile,” says the international group of countries pushing for answers.

The focus now, they say, must shift to recourse under international law.

“It is clear that Iran continues to avoid its international legal responsibilities, including by refusing to negotiate further with the Coordination Group and make full reparations for its actions,” said a statement issued by Global Affairs Canada from the International Coordination and Response Group.

“Despite our best efforts over the past two years and multiple attempts to resolve this matter through negotiations, the Coordination Group has determined that further attempts to negotiate with Iran on reparations for the destruction of Flight PS752 at this time are futile.”

The group’s focus will now turn to “subsequent actions” to resolve the matter through international law.

Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on Jan. 8, 2020, just moments after the civilian aircraft took off from the Tehran airport. All of the 176 people on board died in the resulting crash.

Of those killed, 55 were Canadian citizens and roughly 30 held permanent resident status in Canada.

The downing of the plane has been widely recognized as a national tragedy for Canada, and last year an Ontario court ruled that Iran’s actions marked an intentional act of terrorism.