Iran's military says it "unintentionally" shot down a Ukrainian aircraft due to human error. 

The statement said, it had done so as the plane flew close to a sensitive site belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

It said those responsible would be held accountable.

Iran had previously rejected suggestions that one of its missiles brought down the plane near the capital.

In a Tweet, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said the Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif, in a Tweet said, it was human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster.

NNR/Khokhar