From Press TV

An Iranian commander says the global community turned a blind eye to the downing of a passenger jet by the US navy in the Persian Gulf.

The Deputy Head of Iran's Armed Forces Headquarters, Brigadier General Seyyed Masoud Jazayeri, said Saturday that July 3 is a 'shameful day' for the so-called US democracy.

Iran Air Flight 655 was destroyed by the US Navy's guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes between Bandar Abbas and Dubai on Sunday July 3, 1988, over the Strait of Hormuz.

The US warship patrolling Iran's maritime territory killed all 290 passengers, including 66 children, and crewmembers.

The White House claims the incident was an honest mistake on behalf of the US Navy. Iran, however, says there is no way that an Airbus A300 can be mistaken for an F-14 Tomcat fighter.

"What is most disgraceful and shameful is that the criminal commander of the ship was awarded the Legion of Merit medal," Gen. Jazayeri continued.

Lieutenant Commander Scott Lustig, air-warfare coordinator on the Vincennes, received the Commendation Medal for 'heroic achievement', noting his 'ability to maintain his poise and confidence under fire' that enabled him to 'quickly and precisely complete the firing procedure'.

The Iranian commander added that the UN Security Council did not take reasonable measures against the US over targeting the civilian aircraft within Iranian airspace.

Gen. Jazayeri called on the international community to never forget Washington's atrocities in the Persian Gulf, the US government's refusal to claim responsibility for the incident, and its refusal to apologize to the Iranian nation.