Iran marks killing of 290 people by Great Satan US

Iran has commemorated the 26th anniversary of the killing of 290 people in a US missile cruiser’s attack on an Iranian passenger plane in the Persian Gulf, Press TV reports.

The Airbus A300 had just taken off from the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas and was climbing inside an internationally recognized route to Dubai when it was targeted by the US Navy’s missile cruiser, USS Vincennes, on July 3, 1988, killing all 290 passengers onboard, including 66 children and crewmembers.

“When my son was killed, he had a seven-year old daughter. He left a new-born baby and a wife for us. Who is responsible for this misery? The US should be held accountable. After his death, his father died of grief. This tragedy ruined our life and left our hearts broken forever,” said Kobra Shahed Ali, the mother of the victim.

“We want the main perpetrators to be brought to justice,” she urged.

Following the incident, US officials claimed their warship mistook the jetliner for an attacking Iranian F-14 fighter jet. The allegation was made despite highly sophisticated radar systems and electronic battle gear had been mounted on the warship.

Washington later paid some USD 95 million in reparations for the Iranian victims and the aircraft.

The money, however, failed to placate the anti-US sentiments in Iran, where people expected the missile cruiser’s captain, William C. Rogers III, to be held responsible for his criminal act.

Instead, Rogers was awarded the prestigious medal of Legion of Merit for his so-called outstanding service.

“I have a word with the US government. If you claim that you have made a mistake, why don’t you officially apologize to the Iranian nation? Why did you appreciate Captain Rogers? This made this crime so painful for the families [of the victims],” said Habib Qayumi, the victim’s brother.

“If you think that we forget this event, I should say, you are absolutely wrong,” he added.

Every year Iranians throw flowers in the Persian Gulf to mark the anniversary of the downing of the Iranian passenger plane.