Graphic Photos: US Navy deliberately shooting Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988, 290 people killed

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Deliberate downing of Iran Air Flight 655 by US warship USS Vincennes in the Persian Gulf in 1988 was bitter air tragedy of the century took place for Iranians in total despair, the irony of the tragedy was that the US did not apologize to Iran and instead awarded commander of the warship with certificate of valor. Iran Air Airbus A300 B2-203 flying at the civilian corridor, was destroyed by SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles fired from the Vincennes killing all 290 passengers from six nations on board, including 66 children and 16 crew. There were 38 non-Iranians aboard. This attack ranks tenth among the deadliest disasters in aviation history, the incident retains the highest death toll of any air disaster in the Persian Gulf and the highest death toll of any air disaster involving an Airbus anywhere in the world.