‘Nation will not forget US crimes’: Iran marks US downing of passenger flight
Iran has commemorated the 35th anniversary of the downing of its passenger plane by a US Navy guided-missile cruiser over the country’s territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, which killed all 290 people on board.
During a memorial ceremony on Monday, local officials and the families of the tragedy’s victims tossed flowers into the waters near the site of the crash.
Chanting slogans such as “Down with the US” and “Down with Israel,” the participants condemned the inhumane US crime and expressed their utter disgust at the criminal act.
Reacting to the occasion, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani noted that the Iranian nation will never forget this horrible crime committed by the US.
“We are commemorating the anniversary of the tragic incident of the Iranian passenger plane being hit by the US, which gave the commander of this terrible operation a medal of courage,” he said.
“The Iranian nation will never forget the sanctions and hundreds of other crimes committed by the US,” Kan’ani stressed, adding that Washington has taken every action to achieve its illegitimate goals.
On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes fired missiles at an Iran Air Airbus A300B2 which was flying over the Hormuz Strait from the port city of Bandar Abbas to Dubai, carrying 274 passengers and 16 crew members.
Following the attack, the plane disintegrated and crashed into the Persian Gulf waters, killing all 290 on board, among them 66 children.
US officials claimed that the USS Vincennes had mistaken Iran Air Flight 655 for a warplane. This is while the warship was equipped with highly sophisticated 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 even awarded America’s Legion of Merit medal by then-US president George Bush for his “outstanding service” during operations in the Persian Gulf.
Iran says defense, military cooperation with India promotes regional security
Iran condemns new sanctions by US, Britain and Canada
Students in Tehran rally to support Gaza solidarity demos in US
FIFA, AFC congratulate Iran on Asian futsal championship
Rights group slams Israel attempts to block ICC arrest warrants
Ukraine’s Zelensky pleas for Patriot missiles, NATO membership
Uma Oya: Iran’s engineering milestone for internationality
VIDEO | Protesters burn photos of G7 leaders ahead of energy meeting in Italy
Iran guarantor of Persian Gulf security, peace as foreigners wreaking stability: IRGC
14 Israeli troopers killed, wounded in resistance operation in central Gaza
Over 900 arrested at anti-war protests in US universities since April 18
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
