Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi says Iranians will never forget the downing of a commercial flight by a US Navy guided-missile cruiser in the Persian Gulf waters in a “barbaric operation” in 1988 and the killing of 290 innocent civilians.
“Years after the appalling tragedy and barbaric attack, the pain and agony caused by the US crime has not dissipated,” Qassemi said in a statement on Tuesday, marking the 30th anniversary of a US missile attack on a commercial Iranian flight in southern Iran.
The “disgraceful smear” is still on the face of the US government, which does not feel ashamed for blatant violations of international law and conventions, he added, Tasnim News Agency reported.
“To prove this, suffice to say that this (US) government, that violates international regulations, not only did not express the slightest regret over the criminal act, but also honored the commander of the warship (which fired the missile) for the murder of tens of innocent civilians,” the spokesman added.
“Undoubtedly, the barbaric US crime has been recorded in the memories of the great and brave people of this land and will never fade into oblivion,” he saaid.
On July 3, 1988, Iran Air Flight 655 was on a routine flight from Iran's southern city of Bandar Abbas to Dubai when the US Navy's missile cruiser USS Vincennes shot it down, killing all 290 passengers onboard, including 66 children and crewmembers.
Washington claims the ship mistook the large passenger plane for a relatively small fighter jet that intended to target the Vincennes.
Iranians annually mark July 3, the anniversary of the tragic incident, by showering the site of the disaster in the Persian Gulf with flowers.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif referred to the US crime to shoot down the Iranian passenger plane, and said the US has always targeted civilians.
“July 3, 1988: the US shoots down Iranian passenger jetliner, killing all 290 on board. Perpetrator gets medal instead of punishment. 2016: Following the JCPOA, licenses issued for 200 Boeing, Airbus & ATR aircraft,” Zarif wrote on his twitter account.
“2018: US cancels all licenses before delivery of single Boeing jet. Clear target: civilians,” he added.
