The prime minister of Canada, Justine Trudeau, announced that his country will pay the Canadian families of the victims of the Ukrainian flight $25000 to assist with the funerals and travel to Iran.

In a press conference on Friday, Trudeau said: This is a unique and unprecedented situation because of the international sanctions placed on Iran and the difficulties that imposes on these families. “These families have lost a loved one in extraordinary circumstances, and the grieving is even more difficult as a result.”

He explained that he still expects Iran to compensate the victims of the crash.

“I want to be clear. We expect Iran to compensate these families. I have met them. They can’t wait for weeks. They need support now,” Trudeau said.

He added: “We haven’t looked at what the full compensation would end up looking like from Iran, but I can assure you any money from Iran for the victims would go straight to them. It would not go to the Canadian government.”

He continued: “Our government is firmly committed to holding Iran accountable for those who have lost a loved one, and that includes compensation,” he said. “This is immediate assistance for a range of needs they might have. We will be getting this money to them as quickly as we possibly can.”