Iran Remembers Victims of US Navy's Downing of Passenger Plane
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran on Tuesday marked the 36th anniversary of the US Navy's downing of an Iranian passenger plane over the Persian Gulf, which resulted in the deaths of 290 people.
A memorial ceremony was held on the eve of the tragedy's anniversary, with participants, including the victims' families and local officials, tossing flowers into the waters of Hormozgan Province near Hengam Island.
They chanted slogans such as "Down with the US" and "Down with Israel."
On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes fired missiles at an Iran Air Airbus A300B2 flying over the Strait of Hormuz from Bandar Abbas to Dubai, carrying 274 passengers and 16 crew members.
The attack caused the plane to disintegrate and crash into the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 on board, including 66 children.
US officials claimed that the USS Vincennes had mistaken Iran Air Flight 655 for a warplane, despite the warship being equipped with advanced radar systems and electronic battle gear at the time of the attack.
In 1990, the captain of the cruiser, William C. Rogers, was cleared of any wrongdoing and was awarded America's Legion of Merit medal by then US President George Bush for his "outstanding service" during operations in the Persian Gulf.
