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.
“July 3, 1988: The US Navy shot down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 civilians on board—including 66 children. Instead of accountability, the then-US President decorated the crew responsible,” the mission said in a post on X.
“This is exactly why the culture of impunity continues today: from the skies over Flight 655 to the Tomahawk missiles that struck the school in Minab, killing 168 schoolchildren. The United States still refuses to answer for its crimes,” it added
On Friday, Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X that “July 3rd is a reminder of the crime in which America took the lives of 290 innocent people, including 66 children”.
“This crime will never be erased from the memory of the Iranian nation. The second crime began after the shooting down of the plane: denying responsibility, failing to issue an official apology, and awarding a medal to the commander of the criminal ship,” Gharibabadi said.
July 3, 1988: The U.S. Navy shot down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 civilians on board—including 66 children. Instead of accountability, the then-U.S. President decorated the crew responsible. This is exactly why the culture of impunity continues…
— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) July 3, 2026
