Iranian military commanders knew they had shot a Ukrainian plane by mistake but decided not to tell the truth to President Rouhani.

Iran early January 8 launched multiple missiles against US forces stationed at two military bases in Iraq in retaliation for Brigadier General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds task force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). killed by the US on 3/1.

The Iranian armed forces are on the highest alert to prevent US retaliation. General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC's space force, demanded that the government close the airspace and notify all civilian aircraft to land.

However, Iranian officials did not follow orders, fearing that the closure of the airspace would cause panic that many thought military conflict with the United States could occur. Some argue that if passenger aircraft continue to land at Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran, located near Iran's air defense missile site, will prevent the United States from attacking this area.

After the raid, the central air defense command of Iran warned US military aircraft carrying cruise missiles taking off from the United Arab Emirates. The missile control officer received the warning, but then did not receive the notice that was a false alarm. US officials said no Iranian aircraft had flown in or near Iranian airspace at the time.

When the missile control officer spotted an unidentified aircraft taking off toward the missile battlefield, he managed to contact the command post to request a shot but failed. The officer then decided to fire two missiles in less than 30 seconds. The aircraft turned out to be a Boeing 737-800 bearing the serial number PS752 of Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) with 176 people on board, crashing to the ground and exploding like a fireball.

General Hajizadeh, then west of Iran to oversee missile strikes, rushed back to Tehran to meet with the Iranian Army Commander and Chief of the Central Air Defense Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC Commander Hossein Salami.

"I advise them not to tell subordinate air defense units of the accidental firing incident for fear it would affect their quick response when the US attacks. This is for Iran's national security. If disclosed information , the entire air defense system will be disturbed when subordinates suspect everything, "said General Hajizadeh.

Iranian military generals and revolutionary guards secretly set up an investigative committee with members of the IRGC space forces, military air defense forces, intelligence forces and cyber combat experts. . Investigation committee members are ordered not to disclose information to anyone.

It checks data from the airport, flight paths, radar networks, warnings and exchanges between the missile operations department and the command center. Witnesses include officers pushing the rocket launch button, surveillance officers, and people concerned for interrogation for hours. The investigation committee also considered the hypothesis that either the United States or Israel would attack an Iranian defense or jamming radar system leading to the incident.

On the afternoon of January 8, the investigating committee concluded that the Boeing 737-800 was shot down due to human error. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was informed by the Iranian military authorities, but President Rouhani did not. The Iranian military commanders decided to keep the plane's secret secret until two black boxes were decoded, a process that could take several months, in preparation for countermeasures to domestic and international responses. .

Iranian armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi said on Sunday evening that theories had been "completely deceitful" by the missile.

Ukrainian investigators on January 9 went to Iran. Some Western countries say they have evidence that the Ukrainian plane was shot wrongly. Meanwhile, senior Iranian officials have repeatedly dismissed and called it a "psychological warfare" to weaken the Middle Eastern nation after a missile strike on US forces.

However, Iranian officials wonder if Western countries' information is correct. President Rouhani, an experienced military strategist, and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif ignored the calls of leaders of many countries. Rouhani and Zarif did not know what the Iranian armed forces did and could not provide information.

President Rouhani has repeatedly called for military commanders but they have not responded, Iranian officials said. "The government is in constant contact with the armed forces to ask what happened but they say no missiles have been launched," Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said.

Rabiei on January 10 issued a statement calling "accusing Iran of downing the plane a major lie". Hours later, senior Iranian military commanders met with President Rouhani and told the truth.

"The president was furious, demanding that he immediately notify Iran of the mistake that led to the tragedy and accept the consequences," officials close to Rouhani said. Military generals have said it should not be disclosed because it could destabilize the country, causing President Rouhani to threaten to resign.

Rouhani said investigators in Canada and the United States would release evidence of the accidental shooting. "Damage to Iran's reputation and people's confidence in the government will cause a great crisis at a time when we cannot bear more pressure," he said.

President Rouhani briefed a number of senior government officials. Rabiei spokesman burst into tears and said "my honor is shattered, they cover up at the highest level and can not escape the crisis now".

The Iranian National Security Council held an emergency meeting and prepared two announcements, the first of which was announced by the armed forces and the second for President Rouhani. Some officials have suggested blaming the United States or Israel for interfering or attacking communications networks, but military commanders objected. General Hajizadeh said the human error was less shameful than admitting that Iran's air defenses were vulnerable to enemy attacks.

Iran morning on January 11 admitted on television that the IRGC had mistakenly shot a Ukrainian aircraft. Missile control officer and 10 others arrested. President Rouhani demanded an investigation of the entire chain of commanders of the Iranian army and revolutionary guards.

In a statement issued an hour and a half later, Rouhani said he discovered the conclusions of the commission that investigated the cause of the plane crash "just hours earlier" and asked the Iranian armed forces to ask error. Rouhani's statement acknowledged that he and the government inadvertently lied to Iranians and the whole world because the military generals decided to hide their mistakes.