Iran Criticizes US Over Alleged Double Standards in 1988 Civilian Aircraft Incident

During a commemoration for the 290 victims of Iran Air Flight 655, downed by the US warship USS Vincennes in the Persian Gulf in 1988, Baghaei criticized the United States on Thursday for not holding any individuals accountable for the incident. He pointed out that, rather than facing consequences, the ship’s commander received a medal.

Baghaei criticized the United States for what he termed as hypocrisy, pointing out that Washington dismissed a recent attack as a military error, while vehemently condemning a similar incident in 1983. At that time, the Soviet Union had shot down a Korean Air flight, a move the US rebuffed, rejecting the Soviet’s assertion of mistaken identity.

On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes downed Iran Air Flight 655, resulting in the tragic loss of all passengers and crew on board.

The USS Vincennes launched missiles targeting an Iran Air Airbus A300B2 while it was in flight over the Strait of Hormuz. The aircraft was traveling from the port city of Bandar Abbas to Dubai, carrying 274 passengers and 16 crew members on board.

In the aftermath of the assault, the aircraft broke apart and plummeted into the waters of the Persian Gulf, resulting in the tragic loss of all 290 individuals on board, including 66 children.

The United States has asserted that the civilian airliner was mistakenly identified as a hostile aircraft. This assertion comes despite the fact that at the time of the incident, the warship involved was outfitted with advanced radar systems and electronic warfare equipment.

In 1990, the commander of the cruiser, William C. Rogers, faced no charges of misconduct and was subsequently honored with the United States’ Legion of Merit medal by then-President George Bush. The award recognized his “outstanding service” during operations conducted in the Persian Gulf.