Iran Air Flight 655

Iran Air Flight 655

Iran Air Flight 655 was a scheduled passenger flight from Tehran, Iran to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, via Bandar Abbas, Iran. On July 3, 1988, the aircraft operating this flight, an Airbus A300B2-203, was shot down by the United States Navy guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes, resulting in the deaths of all 290 passengers and crew on board.

• Background

The incident occurred during the Iran-Iraq War, a conflict that had been ongoing since 1980. The Persian Gulf was a region of strategic importance, and both Iran and Iraq had targeted oil tankers and other vessels in the area. The United States had deployed naval forces to the region to protect shipping lanes and ensure the free flow of oil.

• The Incident

On the morning of July 3, 1988, Iran Air Flight 655 departed from Bandar Abbas International Airport at 10:17 AM local time, bound for Dubai International Airport. The aircraft was an Airbus A300B2-203, registered as EP-IBU, and was carrying 274 passengers and 16 crew members.

• 1. USS Vincennes

The USS Vincennes (CG-49) was a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy. At the time of the incident, it was operating in the Persian Gulf as part of a U.S. naval task force. The ship was equipped with the Aegis Combat System, a sophisticated radar and missile system designed to track and engage multiple targets simultaneously.

• 1. Engagement

The crew of the USS Vincennes, under the command of Captain William C. Rogers III, mistakenly identified the Airbus A300 as an attacking Iranian F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. Despite receiving signals that the aircraft was a commercial airliner, the crew launched two SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles at the aircraft at 10:24 AM local time.

The missiles struck the aircraft, causing it to break apart and crash into the Persian Gulf. All 290 people on board were killed, including 66 children.

• Aftermath

The downing of Iran Air Flight 655 had significant political and diplomatic repercussions. Iran condemned the attack as a deliberate act of aggression, while the United States maintained that it was a tragic mistake.

• 1. U.S. Response

The United States expressed regret over the incident but did not formally apologize. In 1996, the U.S. agreed to pay $61.8 million in compensation to the families of the Iranian victims as part of a settlement at the International Court of Justice.

• 1. International Reaction

The incident drew widespread international condemnation and raised questions about the rules of engagement and the use of military force in civilian areas. It also highlighted the dangers of operating military forces in close proximity to civilian air traffic.

• Legacy

The downing of Iran Air Flight 655 remains a sensitive and controversial topic in U.S.-Iran relations. It is often cited as a tragic example of the consequences of military misidentification and the need for improved communication and coordination in conflict zones.

Also see

• Iran-Iraq War
• USS Vincennes (CG-49)
• Aegis Combat System
• Airbus A300
• International Court of Justice