Iran’s Red Crescent has said there was no chance of finding survivors, and Pir Hossein Kulivand, an Iranian emergency official, later told state TV all those on board were killed in the crash.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry confirmed that assessment, citing information from the airline, and said more than 160 people had been aboard. Local reports said the number could be as high as 180.

The Boeing 737-800 was operated by Ukrainian International Airlines. It took off from Imam Khomeini international airport at 6.12am Tehran time on Wednesday and went down about 10 minutes later.