What happens when the U.S. shoots down a passenger plane?

Remember the Iranian airliner?

On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes launched a surface-to-air missile at an Iranian civilian airliner. It was on a scheduled commercial flight from Bandar-Abbas to Dubai. The attack resulted in the deaths of 290 passengers and crew members.

The U.S. proclaimed the whole thing was an “error” by the crew of the Vincennes. But further investigation found no fault and resulted in no punishment. The incident was dismissed and forgotten.

— Sam Marcy, “Turning Point in the War,” Workers World, Feb. 28, 1991