Flight 655 bombing: Iran UN Mission says US' culture of impunity continues 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.