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Iranian Protests Continue After Tehran Admits Shooting Down Passenger Plane

For a third consecutive day, anti-government protests have broken out in Iran after the country's military admitted it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet killing all 176 people aboard.

Since January 11, Iranian authorities have struggled to contain public anger over the government's handling of the incident. Initially, Iranian authorities repeatedly said it was impossible for the country's military to shoot down the civilian plane.

Anti-government protesters at Tehran's Sharif University on January 13, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the Iranian leadership, according to social-media posts.
1 Anti-government protesters at Tehran's Sharif University on January 13, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the Iranian leadership, according to social-media posts.
Iranian students at Amir Kabir University on January 12 carried banners expressing condolences for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752. Iran's military said the passenger jet was shot down "unintentionally" by its air-defense forces, which were on high alert following an Iranian ballistic-missile attack a few hours earlier against U.S. forces in Iraq.
2 Iranian students at Amir Kabir University on January 12 carried banners expressing condolences for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752. Iran's military said the passenger jet was shot down "unintentionally" by its air-defense forces, which were on high alert following an Iranian ballistic-missile attack a few hours earlier against U.S. forces in Iraq.
Protesters avoided stepping on the U.S. and Israeli flags while gathering at Beheshti University campus on January 12. Just nine days earlier, other angry crowds were seen burning those flags after Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani was assassinated by a U.S. drone strike in Iraq. 
3 Protesters avoided stepping on the U.S. and Israeli flags while gathering at Beheshti University campus on January 12. Just nine days earlier, other angry crowds were seen burning those flags after Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani was assassinated by a U.S. drone strike in Iraq. 
A protester kicks a poster of slain Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in Tehran on January 12.
4 A protester kicks a poster of slain Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in Tehran on January 12.
Security forces stand guard in front of the British Embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on January 12. The British ambassador was briefly arrested for allegedly attending an illegal demonstration.
5 Security forces stand guard in front of the British Embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on January 12. The British ambassador was briefly arrested for allegedly attending an illegal demonstration.
Iranian demonstrators hold posters bearing the image of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani in front of the British Embassy in Tehran on January 12. About 200 protesters chanted "Death to Britain" as they rallied outside the mission. The day before, British Ambassador Rob Macaire was briefly arrested for attending a memorial for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752.
6 Iranian demonstrators hold posters bearing the image of slain military commander Qasem Soleimani in front of the British Embassy in Tehran on January 12. About 200 protesters chanted "Death to Britain" as they rallied outside the mission. The day before, British Ambassador Rob Macaire was briefly arrested for attending a memorial for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752.
Protesters gather in front of the Ostad Moein subway station on January 12. Anti-government slogans targeting Iran's conservative-clerical establishment could be heard.
7 Protesters gather in front of the Ostad Moein subway station on January 12. Anti-government slogans targeting Iran's conservative-clerical establishment could be heard.
Iranian riot police used tear gas on anti-government demonstrators on January 11 in Tehran. Images of earlier rallies appeared to show police and security forces firing live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. Authorities denied that police had opened fire.
8 Iranian riot police used tear gas on anti-government demonstrators on January 11 in Tehran. Images of earlier rallies appeared to show police and security forces firing live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. Authorities denied that police had opened fire.
Protesters at Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11 were heard chanting, "Our leader is ignorant and a source of shame."
9 Protesters at Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11 were heard chanting, "Our leader is ignorant and a source of shame."
A woman attending a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Ukrainian airliner crash talks to a policeman on January 11 at Tehran's Amir Kabir University.
10 A woman attending a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Ukrainian airliner crash talks to a policeman on January 11 at Tehran's Amir Kabir University.
Iranian students demonstrate following a tribute to the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11.
11 Iranian students demonstrate following a tribute to the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11.
Iranian students chant anti-government slogans as they demonstrate in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran, on January 11. "Commander in chief [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] resign, resign!"
12 Iranian students chant anti-government slogans as they demonstrate in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran, on January 11. "Commander in chief [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] resign, resign!"
Protesters gather in front of Sharif University in Tehran on January 11. Iranian media reported that 14 of the Ukrainian plane victims were graduates of the university.
13 Protesters gather in front of Sharif University in Tehran on January 11. Iranian media reported that 14 of the Ukrainian plane victims were graduates of the university.
A memorial vigil in the Iranian city of Sari on January 11.
14 A memorial vigil in the Iranian city of Sari on January 11.
A woman holds a picture of newlyweds Arash Pourzarabi and Pouneh Gourji at a Tehran vigil on January 11. Both were graduate students studying computer science at the University of Alberta, and were coming back to Edmonton, Canada after celebrating their wedding in Iran.
15 A woman holds a picture of newlyweds Arash Pourzarabi and Pouneh Gourji at a Tehran vigil on January 11. Both were graduate students studying computer science at the University of Alberta, and were coming back to Edmonton, Canada after celebrating their wedding in Iran.
A woman holds a message to Iranian leaders with the word "resign" at a vigil for the victims of the air tragedy in Tehran on January 11.
16 A woman holds a message to Iranian leaders with the word "resign" at a vigil for the victims of the air tragedy in Tehran on January 11.
Iranians light candles for all 176 victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 during protests in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11. The passenger jet was carrying 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, 10 Afghans, three Germans, and three Britons.
17 Iranians light candles for all 176 victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 during protests in front of Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11. The passenger jet was carrying 82 Iranians, 57 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, 10 Afghans, three Germans, and three Britons.
Riot police gather at Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11.
18 Riot police gather at Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11.
Protesters rally at Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11.
19 Protesters rally at Amir Kabir University in Tehran on January 11.
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