Key facts
- Iran's UN mission stated that the US Navy shot down Iran Air Flight 655 on July 3, 1988.
- The incident resulted in the deaths of 290 civilians, including 66 children.
- Iran alleges the US has failed to accept responsibility and fostered a "culture of impunity".
- Iran's deputy foreign minister highlighted the denial of responsibility and awarding of a medal to the commander involved.
- The mission drew parallels to other incidents, including a missile strike on a school in Minab that killed 168 children.
Iran's mission to the United Nations has accused the United States of fostering a "culture of impunity" by failing to accept responsibility for the 1988 downing of Iran Air Flight 655. The mission stated on X that the US Navy shot down the civilian flight over the Persian Gulf on July 3, 1988, killing all 290 people on board, including 66 children.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, noted that the "crime" would not be forgotten and criticized the US for denying responsibility, failing to issue an apology, and awarding a medal to the commander of the responsible ship. The mission linked this historical event to ongoing issues, citing it as a reason why similar actions, such as a Tomahawk missile strike on a school in Minab that killed 168 schoolchildren, continue today.