The Downing of Iran Air Flight 655

Summary

History Daily: The Downing of Iran Air Flight 655

Episode Overview

In the July 3, 2025 episode of History Daily titled "The Downing of Iran Air Flight 655," host Lindsey Graham delves into one of the most tragic and controversial incidents in modern naval history. This detailed exploration unpacks the events leading up to the downing of a civilian airliner by a U.S. Navy cruiser, the ensuing investigation, and the lasting repercussions on international relations between the United States and Iran.

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Setting the Stage: The USS Stark Incident ([00:00]–[03:50])

The episode opens on May 17, 1987, aboard the USS Stark, an American frigate patrolling the Persian Gulf amidst the Iran-Iraq War. Petty Officer Timothy Gable's harrowing survival story sets a poignant tone:

"Timothy throws himself into the open sea." ([02:45])

Gable survives an Iraqi missile attack that resulted from a tragic misidentification, killing 37 crew members. This incident prompts the U.S. to revise its rules of engagement in the Gulf, granting commanders greater authority to act against perceived threats. These new protocols, however, lay the groundwork for a far more devastating encounter the following year.

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The Day of the Downing: July 3, 1988 ([04:42]–[10:17])

Moving to July 3, 1988, the focus shifts to the USS Vincennes, a U.S. Navy cruiser equipped with the sophisticated Aegis battle management system. Captain William Rogers, aware of heightened tensions and armed with advanced radar technology, is navigating the complexities of distinguishing friend from foe in a volatile environment.

Key moments include:

• Receiving Distress Signals: The Vincennes detects a Pakistani merchant vessel being harassed by Iranian gunboats, prompting Captain Rogers to dispatch a helicopter for reconnaissance.

• Escalation to Combat Readiness: Upon receiving reports of Iranian aggression, Rogers escalates the situation, activating battle stations and preparing for potential conflict.

• Radar Confusion and Human Error: The Vincennes' radar registers an unidentified aircraft whose signals alternate between civilian and military frequencies. Despite the lack of concrete evidence regarding the plane's intent, the pressure to act mounts.

"The Vincennes crew cannot identify the plane's type or size." ([08:15])

• The Fateful Decision: Ultimately, trusting their interpretation of the radar data and under immense pressure, Rogers orders the launch of missiles, tragically striking Iran Air Flight 655, a civilian airliner en route to Dubai with 290 people on board.

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Immediate Aftermath and Government Response ([10:56]–[19:21])

In the wake of the downing, the U.S. government swiftly formulates its official stance. President Ronald Reagan, informed of the tragedy, publicly defends the Navy's actions as a justified act of self-defense:

"The Vincennes took proper defensive action and followed standing orders and widely publicized procedures." ([15:30])

Conversely, Iran vehemently denies any notion of misidentification, insisting that such an advanced vessel could not mistake a civilian flight for a fighter jet. This stark difference in narratives exacerbates international tensions.

Investigations and Unveiling the Truth:

• Rear Admiral William Fogarty's Investigation: Appointed to lead a formal inquiry, Fogarty's report identifies several human errors, including a miscommunication regarding flight schedules and a flawed radar system that failed to accurately distinguish between military and civilian aircraft.

  "Captain William Rogers acted prudently given the information available." ([16:45])

• Journalist Roger Charles' Revelations: Contrasting Fogarty's findings, investigative journalist Roger Charles uncovers discrepancies in the U.S. government's reports, notably the omission of the USS Vincennes' location within Iranian territorial waters during the incident. His discovery suggests a deliberate cover-up, undermining the official narrative of a tragic mistake made under combat pressure.

"The Vincennes was inside Iranian territorial waters." ([19:00])

Charles' findings cast a shadow over the official investigation, highlighting potential recklessness and a lack of accountability within the U.S. Navy's actions.

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Long-term Impact and Remembrance ([19:21]–[22:30])

The downing of Iran Air Flight 655 remains a deeply painful and unresolved chapter in U.S.-Iran relations. Annual remembrance ceremonies, like the one attended by Najmet Arshad, underscore the enduring grief and demand for accountability:

"For those like Najmeh, who gather here in the Persian Gulf every year, that explanation rings hollow." ([20:15])

Despite a monetary settlement in 1996, the U.S. has never formally apologized, leaving lingering resentment and mistrust. The episode concludes by reflecting on the human cost of the tragedy and its lasting significance in shaping international diplomatic relations.

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Conclusion

Lindsey Graham masterfully weaves a narrative that not only recounts the sequence of events leading to the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 but also critically examines the layers of human error, technological limitations, and political maneuvering that contributed to the disaster. Through interviews, investigative journalism insights, and poignant personal stories, the episode offers a comprehensive understanding of a pivotal moment that continues to resonate in historical and political discourse.

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Notable Quotes:

• "The Vincennes crew cannot identify the plane's type or size." — Lindsey Graham ([08:15])

• "The Vincennes took proper defensive action and followed standing orders and widely publicized procedures." — President Ronald Reagan ([15:30])

• "Captain William Rogers acted prudently given the information available." — Rear Admiral William Fogarty ([16:45])

• "The Vincennes was inside Iranian territorial waters." — Roger Charles ([19:00])

• "For those like Najmeh, who gather here in the Persian Gulf every year, that explanation rings hollow." — Lindsey Graham ([20:15])

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Production Credits

This episode was produced by Airship and Noiser, featuring executive production by William Simpson and Pascal Hughes, written and researched by Alexandra Curry Buckner, with audio editing by Mohammed Shazid and editing by Scott Reeves. Music was composed by Thrum.

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Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for the next episode of History Daily, exploring the whimsical origins of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" set against the backdrop of July 4, 1862.

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History Daily is brought to you by Noiser and Airship. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode of true historical storytelling.

Transcript

[Lindsey Graham]

There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history [e-mail] it's the evening of May 17, 1987, in the Persian Gulf. Seven years into the Iran Iran Iraq War aboard the USS Stark, Petty Officer Timothy Gable lies in his bunk, his eyelids heavy. The Stark is an American frigate currently patrolling a dangerous waterway. Iraqi and Iranian forces have turned the Persian Gulf into a battlefield, attacking oil tankers and threatening international shipping. But right now all is quiet, and as Timothy drifts off to sleep, he's awakened by a muffled bang, followed by a call to manned battle stations. Timothy bolts upright as a metallic shriek echoes through the ship. He realizes that this is no drill. A second explosion shakes the ship, and everything goes dark. Seawater begins to pour into Timothy's living quarters. Emergency lights flicker to life, but smoke is already filling the air. Timothy can hardly see his own hands. He fumbles for an emergency respirator and straps it on. Then he dashes toward the main exit ladder and begins to climb. But he soon finds the upper rungs are missing. There's no way to get above deck. Timothy stumbles through the smoke, his lungs burning, and as the fire rages around him, his mask starts to fail. With barely any oxygen left, Timothy starts to accept the unthinkable that he may die here. But then a sudden burst of cold water hits his body, and Timothy realizes there's a break in the hole ahead. He follows this dream blindly until he reaches a patch of mangled metal. Then, in one last act of survival, Timothy throws himself into the open sea. The attack on Petty Officer Timothy Gable's vessel was a tragic accident. An Iraqi jet had misidentified the USS Stark as an Iranian ship and launched two deadly missiles. Petty Officer Timothy gable survives, but 37 of his crew are not so lucky. Their deaths will cause the US to revise its rules of engagement in the Persian Gulf, granting commanders increased authority to take preemptive action against perceived threats. But only a year later, these new rules will shape another deadly encounter in the Gulf, when the impulse to strike first will lead to the catastrophic loss of Iran Air Flight 655 on July 3, 1988. History Daily is sponsored by a truby Lately you may have been hearing about a serious but rare heart condition called attr cardiac Amyloidosis, or attrcm. Because symptoms can be similar to other heart conditions. It may take time to be diagnosed, but learning more about ATTRCM and a treatment called Atruby, also called Acharamatis, could be important for you or a loved one. Atruby is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with ATTRCM to reduce death and hospitalization due to heart issues. In one study, people taking a Truby saw an impact on their health related quality of life and 50% fewer hospitalizations due to heart issues than people who didn't take Atruby, giving you more chances to do what you love with who you love. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding and about the medications you take. The most common side effects were mild and included diarrhea and abdominal pain. If you have attrcm, talk to your cardiologist about a Truby or visit attruby.com, that's attruby.com to learn more this new.

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[Lindsey Graham]

From Noiser and Airship. I'm Lindsey Graham and this is history. Daily history is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is July 3, 1988 the downing of Iran Air Flight 655. It's the morning of July 3, 1988, in the international waters of the Persian Gulf, one year after the attack on the USS Stark. On board the cruiser USS Vincennes, Captain William Rogers is already on alert. The Iran Iraq War is still ongoing and the Vincennes has been tasked with patrolling the Gulf. American intelligence has warned Captain Rogers to expect trouble over this holiday weekend and it appears with good reason. Minutes ago, an urgent message came in over the ship's communications network. A Pakistani merchant vessel near the Strait of Hormuz is Being harassed by Iranian gunboats. Captain Rogers dispatches a helicopter to get a closer look. And as he waits to hear back, he heads to the Vincennes Combat Information Center. Inside, large screens glow with a real time map of the surrounding air and sea. Vincennes is one of only five cruisers that carries Aegis, a new billion dollar computerized battle management system. This cutting edge radar and weapons technology gives the ship's crew a near complete picture of the tactical situation. But even this advanced system can't clarify intent. So Captain Rogers waits to hear back from the helicopter before taking any further action. As the chopper nears the Iranian vessels, its pilot reports back the gunboats don't appear overtly hostile. But only a few moments later, another message comes in. Alarmed by the proximity of the US helicopter, the Iranians have opened fire. To Rogers, this represents a severe escalation. Even though the helicopter escapes unscathed, Rogers decides it might be time to engage his forces. He orders the ship's crew to battle stations. Hatches slam shut. Helmets and gas masks go on. And within moments, the Vincennes is ready for combat. The cruiser surges north toward the hostile gunboats. Under American rules of engagement, Captain Rogers can open fire if he believes his ship is under threat. And now, as the Vincennes approaches the Iranian vessels, they begin moving erratically through the water. This alarms Rogers and he gets permission from his superiors to fire a warning shot. On deck, a massive naval gun thunders and Rogers hopes that this will deter the gunboats and cause them to retreat. But the warning doesn't work. Instead, the Iranian vessels return fire. Soon the Vincennes is engaged in a full sea battle. And in this environment, anything moving toward the Vincennes is viewed as a potential threat. And inside the Combat Information center, radar operators call Rogers attention to a new contact on their screens. It's an Iranian surveillance aircraft and it's headed straight toward them. Vincennes sends a warning to the plane on a military channel. The Iranian pilot responds, promising to keep his distance. But Rogers is concerned that the surveillance plane is here to call in an Orion airstrike. And his fears escalate when the Vincennes picks up a new aircraft on its radar. Another plane has just left Iran's nearby Bandar Abbas Airport, which is used by both civilians and the military. Despite all its advanced technology, the Vincennes crew cannot identify the plane's type or size. It's broadcasting a generic civilian transmission. But it still could be a military aircraft concealing its identity. Vincennes crew checks flight timetables to See if any commercial planes are due out of Bandar Abbas, but they find nothing scheduled. Then they try to contact the aircraft on a military distress frequency, but they get no response. They switch to the civilian international distress frequency and try again, but still, silence. Then a new complication arises. The unidentified aircraft signal appears to change. It is now broadcasting a signal associated with military planes. And the aircraft is tentatively identified as an Iranian F14, the most up to date fighter in the Iranian air force. But as the plane approaches, its signal changes again back to the generic civilian signal. Whether the aircraft is really a military F14 or a civilian airliner, no one knows. As the unidentified aircraft draws closer to the Vincennes, a radar operator reports that the plane is descending. The pressure on Captain Rogers mounts as he faces a difficult shoot down the unidentified aircraft or risk the lives of his own crew. The memory of the USS Star flashes through his mind and he refuses to let his men face the same tragic fate. Though no hostile intent is confirmed, and despite inconsistencies in the data, Captain Rogers makes the call. He orders the launch of two missiles and seconds later, they strike their target. The plane is destroyed. Initially, the crew of the Vincennes will believe that they have averted an impending attack. But what seems like a successful defense of an American warship will soon be revealed as something far more tragic. An error in judgment that will spark outrage, deepen international tensions, and leave hundreds of families in mourning.

[Mr. Ballin]

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[Abby]

Today is the worst day of Abby's life. The 17 year old cradles her newborn son in her arms.

[Mr. Ballin]

They all saw how much I loved him.

[Abby]

They didn't have to take him from me. Between 1945 and the early 1960s, families shipped their pregnant teenage daughters to maternity homes and forced them to secretly place their babies for adoption in hidden corners across America. It's still happening. My parents had me locked up in.

[Lindsey Graham]

The godparent home against my will. They worked with them to manipulate me and to steal my son away from me.

[Abby]

The Godparent Home is the brainchild of controversial preacher Jerry Faulkner, the father of the modern evangelical right and the founder of Liberty University, where powerful men, emboldened by their faith, determine who gets to be a parent and who must give their child away. Follow Liberty Lost on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ronald Reagan]

Foreign.

[Lindsey Graham]

It'S the morning of July 3, 1988, at Camp David in Maryland, a few minutes after the USS Vincennes shot down an unidentified aircraft. Inside this secluded presidential retreat, US President Ronald Reagan wakes to a telephone call from his national Security advisor, Colin Powell. Powell informs him that an incident has occurred in the Persian Gulf and that American forces have shot down an Iranian jet fighter. President Reagan absorbs the report, weighing its significance. Tensions in the Persian Gulf have been high in recent months, and the idea that a US Vessel would have to defend itself is not a shock. But as the hours pass, disturbing updates trickle in. Intelligence analysts now believe the aircraft wasn't a jet fighter at all. It was Iran Air Flight 655, a civilian airliner on a routine flight to Dubai. 290 people were on board and all are believed dead. With the world watching, President Reagan issues a public statement. He calls the incident a terrible human tragedy, but he defends the US Navy's actions. He repeats what he's been told, that the aircraft was headed directly for the USS Vincennes and failed to heed repeated warnings. He says the Vincennes took proper defensive action and followed standing orders and widely publicized procedures. The firing to protect itself against possible attack. This quickly becomes the US Government's official position. The incident was a tragedy, but a justifiable one. Iran takes a very different stance. The regime denounces the attack as deliberate. They simply do not believe that an American cruiser containing some of the world's most advanced technology could mistake a civilian airliner for a fighter jet. It's a question many are asking. So to understand how it could have happened, the US Government appoints Rear Admiral William Fogarty to lead a formal investigation into the incident. And over the next few weeks, Fogarty uncovers several human errors that led to the tragedy. One of the biggest stems from a simple misunderstanding. Because of the local time difference and a 27 minute delay in the Iran Air flight's departure, the Vincennes crew did not realize that a civilian airliner was scheduled to take off. They thought its appearance was unexpected and unexplained. But its departure was entirely routine. Fogarty also learns that at the time the civilian airliner took off an Iranian F14 was also on the tarmac at Bandar Abbas. The Vincennes radar picked up signals from both planes and a design flaw in the system made it difficult to distinguish one from the other. Then Captain William Rogers was told that the plane was descending in what could be a hostile maneuver. But the ship's records show there was never any descent. Just a commercial aircraft climbing normally into the sky. But no one double checked the readings. Under pressure, the crew made a tragic assumption. Convinced they were witnessing a coordinated strike, the crew saw what they expected to an incoming military threat. Psychiatrists suggest that they may have fallen victim to scenario fulfillment. A phenomenon where people believe so strongly that an event is about to happen they begin to perceive it as if it already is. Despite all this evidence though, Admiral Fogarty concludes that the downing of Iran Air 655 was not caused by negligence or misconduct. He declares that Captain William Rogers acted prudently given the information available and the speed at which he had to make a decision. Instead, Admiral Fogarty places part of the blame on Iran for allowing a civilian airliner to fly so close to open hostilities. Fogravy's report is intended to put the matter to bed. But for investigative journalist and former Marine Roger Charles, the report's conclusions only raise more questions. He is especially puzzled by why there's no map in the report showing the Minsan's position at the time of the attack in 1990. Charles gets his answer. He obtains a copy of a report by the International Civil Aviation Organization or icao. Unlike Admiral Fogarty's report, this one gives the Vincennes coordinates. And as soon as Charles plots the warship's position he realizes why the US Government withheld it. At the time of the incident, the Vincennes was inside Iranian territorial waters. The US Government has repeatedly excused Vincennes actions as self defense in international waters. They've also claimed that Flight 655 was flying outside of its prescribed commercial air route. But neither of these things appear to be true. According to the ICAO, Flight 655 complied fully with all pertinent standards. It was the US Navy that violated regulations. To Charles and many others it's clear that the crew of the Vincennes behaved recklessly and without due care and that the US Government was willing to cover it up. But the holes poked in Admiral Fogarty's investigation will have little consequence for President Reagan. The downing of Flight 655 will quickly be overtaken by other events. In a busy final year of his presidency. But for those who lost loved ones, the pain of this disaster in the Persian Gulf will never fade.

[Luke Lamanna]

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[Chico Felitti]

Everyone has that friend who seems kind of perfect for Paddy. That friend was Tessie Rae. Until one day I texted her and.

[Lindsey Graham]

She was not getting the text. So I went to Instagram. She has no Instagram anymore.

[Mr. Ballin]

And Facebook.

[Lindsey Graham]

No Facebook anymore.

[Chico Felitti]

Desiree was gone and there was one person who knew the answer.

[Lindsey Graham]

I am a spiritual person, a magical.

[Chico Felitti]

Person, a witch, a gorgeous Brazilian influencer called Kat Torres, but who was hiding a secret from wondering. Based on my smash hit podcast from Brazil comes a new series, Don't Cross Cat, about a search that led me to a mystery in a Texas suburb.

[Lindsey Graham]

I'm calling to check on the two missing Brazilian girls, maybe get some undercover crew there. The family are freaking out. They are locked.

[Chico Felitti]

I'm Chico Felitti. You can listen to Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lindsey Graham]

It's July 2, 2012 in the Persian Gulf, 24 years after Iran Flight 655 was shot down. Najmet Arshad stands at the edge of a boat, staring out at the churning water. In her hand is a bundle of red flag flowers, and lined up along the rail are others gathered in a quiet vigil, gripping their own bouquets. Some murmur prayers and others simply weep. Today is the annual remembrance ceremony for the 290 lives lost on Iran Air Flight 655. Najmah lost her father that day. And now as the boat slows over the spot where the airliner fell from the sky. Najmah steps forward and releases a handful of flower petals into the sea. They scatter across the surface, some caught by the breeze, others sinking gently beneath the waves. As she watches them drift from view, her grief stirs again. Outside Iran, the downing of Flight 655 has faded from public memory. But for Najmeh and many other Iranians, the pain endures, not only for the lives lost, but for the lack of accountability. After its tour of duty was complete, the Vincennes Returns returned home to a hero's welcome. Everyone on board received a Combat Action ribbon, and Captain William Rogers was awarded the Legion of Merit, a top military honor. But these decorations were a slap in the face for the victims families. Eight years later, in 1996, the US did agree to a settlement at the International Court of Justice that pledged over $60 million in compensation. But the deal included one crucial condition, that the United States accepted no legal liability for the incident. The US Government has never formally apologized for the shootdown, and most Iranians suspect it never will. Instead, the US Navy has maintained that the incident was a tragic mistake made under the pressure of combat. But for those like Najmeh, who gather here in the Persian Gulf every year, that explanation rings hollow. The downing of Flight 655 has remained a bitter touchstone in American Iranian relations, a moment often cited in Tehran, Iran, as evidence of Washington's disregard for Iranian lives. And though the tension between these two countries has many causes, lingering beneath the surface of every confrontation is the memory of the dark day when American missiles struck an Iranian civilian airliner on July 3, 1988. Next on History Daily. July 4, 1862. An Oxford professor takes a boat ride and tells a fantastical story that will eventually become Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. From Noiser and Airship. This is History Daily Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shazid Sound design by Gabriel Gould Supervising Sound designer Matthew Filler Music by Thrum this episode is written and researched by Alexandra Curry Buckner. Edited by Scott Reeves Managing Producer Emily Byrne Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.

[Ronald Reagan]

Ben hadn't had a decent night's sleep in a month, so during one of his restless nights, he booked a package triple broad on Expedia. When he arrived at his beachside hotel, he discovered a miraculous bed slung between two trees and fell into the best sleep of his life. You were made to be rechargeable. We were made to package flights and hotels and hammocks for less Expedia made to travel.