Iran Air Flight 655 · Parvaz-e 655

Culture of origin: Iranian · Historical

Holiday sources: Iran · Persian Gulf Coast and Islands

Iran Air Flight 655, an Airbus A300 flying from Tehran to Dubai via Bandar Abbas, was hit by two missiles from the US Navy warship USS Vincennes over Iranian waters, shortly after leaving Bandar Abbas. It is the deadliest aviation disaster in Iran's history. The US said the crew mistook the airliner for an F-14 fighter; its captain later received the Legion of Merit. In 1996 the US agreed to pay $61.8 million to the victims' families, without admitting liability.