Iran said the black box of a Ukrainian airliner it mistakenly shot down is significantly damaged, complicating an already protracted investigation of an incident that sparked domestic protests and angry calls for greater government accountability. After Iran’s military admitted to shooting down Ukrain plane. The crash of Ukraine International Airlines came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. soldiers, but both Ukrainian and Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the 3½-year-old Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week he had “impressed upon” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that a complete and independent investigation into the shooting down of the airliner had to be carried out. Many of the 176 who perished in the disaster were Iranians with dual citizenship, which is not recognised by Iran. Canada had 57 citizens on board. “We have a right to read the black box ourselves. We have a right to be present at any examination of the black box,” Zarif said. Defence Minister Amir Hatami said the flight data recording box had “sustained noticeable damage and the defence industry has been requested to help in reconstructing (it).” Hatami added. Iran is in discussions with other countries, particularly Ukraine, about the investigation, foreign minister Zarif said.