Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a Twitter message blasted the US government for continuing its unilateral sanctions and economic terrorism against the Islamic Republic.

"Some 33 years ago today, US shot down #IranAir655, killing all 290 civilians aboard. As a young diplomat, I witnessed US refusal to apologize over the human tragedy it caused," Zarif tweeted on the occasion of the anniversary of the US shooting down of an Iranian passenger plane in 1988. 

"The US violence against Iranians began long before and continues today with #EconomicTerrorism against our people," he added.

On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes fired missiles at an Iran Air Airbus A300B2 which was flying over the Strait of Hormuz from the port city of Bandar Abbas to Dubai, carrying 274 passengers and 16 crew members.

Following the attack, the plane disintegrated and crashed into the Persian Gulf waters, killing all 290 onboard, among them 66 children.

US officials claimed that the USS Vincennes had mistaken Iran Air Flight 655 for a warplane. This is while the warship was equipped with highly sophisticated radar systems and electronic battle gear at the time of the attack.

In 1990, the captain of the cruiser, William C. Rogers, was cleared of any wrongdoing and was even awarded America’s Legion of Merit medal by then US president George Bush for his “outstanding service” during operations in the Persian Gulf.

Iran on Saturday marked the 33rd anniversary of the downing of Iran Air flight 655 with 290 passengers by a US Navy guided-missile cruiser over the Persian Gulf.

The participants, including the families of the victims and local officials, attended the memorial ceremony today by tossing flowers into the waters of Hormuzgan Province near Hengam Island.

They also chanted slogans such as “Down with the US” and “Down with Israel”.

In relevant remarks on Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani blasted the US for not apologizing for targeting Iranian Airbus passenger plane in the Persian Gulf in 1988.

"Unfortunately, the US administration has never officially apologized for committing this crime and has even eulogized the navy commander," President Rouhani said.  

The Iranian president also called on Washington to explain why it has eulogized the perpetrators of the crime.

The Iranian president described US act as "horrendous, and unacceptable" and hoped for the US administration to be aware of the fact that it has committed a big crime in 1988.