Hassan Shadkhoo spoke with his wife on WhatsApp 20 minutes before her Ukraine International Airlines flight took off from Iran on Wednesday.
Sheyda Shadkhoo was returning to Toronto after spending three weeks visiting her mother and sisters.
“She wanted me to assure her there wasn’t going to be a war,” Shadkhoo told Canadian broadcaster CBC, referring to heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. “And I told her not to worry. Nothing’s going to happen.”
Iran plane crash: What we know about the investigation and the 63 Canadians killed
The chemist was one of 176 victims, including 63 Canadians, when Flight 752 crashed shortly after it took off. U.S. and Canadian officials on Thursday said they believe the plane was struck down by an Iranian missile.
In the CBC interview Wednesday, Hassan Shadkhoo said his wife of 10 years saved his life.
“I lived because of her,” he said. “I lived for her.”
Asked what was going through his mind in the wake of the crash: “I wish I didn’t exist right now.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran plane crash: Husband of Toronto victim shares last conversation