Iranian authorities had initially denied responsibility, only changing course days later, after Western nations presented extensive evidence that Iran had shot down the plane. The Ukrainian plane was apparently targeted by two missiles. In the months since the downing of the plane, Iran has struggled with the Middle East's largest and deadliest outbreak of the coronavirus. It also noted that the Ukrainian flight had done nothing out of the ordinary up until the missile launch, with its transponder and other data being broadcast. The aircraft's black box flight recorder was sent to Paris in June, where international investigators have been examining it.

Source: CBC News August 23, 2020 10:21 UTC