This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
After 1985
[According to Anthony H. Cordesman], Iran begins to stockpile cyanogen chloride, phosgene, and mustard gas.
—Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies, <http://www.cns.miis.edu/research/wmdme/ iran.htm>; Anthony H. Cordesman, "The Military Balance in the Middle East – WMD: Part XIV," 6 October 1999, p. 35.
1986
A deputy in the Iranian parliament reportedly says that products such as mustard gas "...are on the production line."
—Victor A. Utgoff, The Challenge of Chemical Weapons: An American Perspective (New York: St. Matin's Press, 1991), p. 83.
1986-1987
Iran has the capability to produce enough lethal agents to load its own weapons. [Note: The citation Cordesman offers to back up this claim does not exist.]
—Anthony H. Cordesman, Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East (London: Brassey's, 1991), p. 83; Anthony H. Cordesman, "Proliferation in the "Axis of Evil": North Korea, Iran, and Iraq," CSIS Report, 30 January 2002; Anthony H. Cordesman, "The Military Balance in the Middle East – WMD: Part XIV," 16 March 1999, p.35.
1986-1988
Jane's Intelligence Review reports that evidence exists that between 1986 and 1988, Iran received help from North Korea to design and manufacture chemical warheads. The possibility also exists that North Korea directly transferred chemical warheads to Iran.
—"Chemical and Biological Warfare Programme Special Report, Jane's Intelligence Review, 1 April, 1994, p. 192.
Early 1986
A second UN mission visits Iran to investigate CW attacks.
—Victor A. Utgoff, The Challenge of Chemical Weapons: An American Perspective (New York: St. Matin's Press, 1991), p. 82.
12 January 1986
Tehran's Mayor Mohammad Nabi Habibi led an Iranian delegation to a conference in Sheffield, UK dealing with nuclear disarmament, peace issues, and the elimination of chemical and biological weapons.
—"Iran: In Brief; Mayor of Tehran for Disarmament Conference in Sheffield," Islamic Republic News Agency, 12 January 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 14 January, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
26 January 1986
An Iranian military communiqué on 27 January reports that Iraq fired chemical weapons in the Ayn Khush sector of the front at 12:15 and again at 18:15 local time. An Iraqi military communiqué dated 27 January denied the Iranian claims that the Ayn Khush sector had been hit with chemical weapons.
—"Iranian Military Communiqués," Tehran Home Service, 27 January 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 January, 1986, Part 4, p. A1; "Iraqi Military Communiqués," Baghdad Voice of the Masses, 27 January 1986, British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 January, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
30 January 1986
An Iranian military communiqué on 31 January reports that five Iranian soldiers in the Khorramshahr (Abadan) sector were wounded by an Iraqi chemical at 1:30 a.m. on 30 January. A 1 February military communiqué reported an additional chemical attack of five chemical shells on 30 January in the Chilat Sector. Those shells failed to produce any damage due to inclement weather.
—"Iranian Military Communiqués," Tehran Home Service, 31 January 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 6 February, 1986, Part 4, p. A1; "Iranian Military Communiqués," Tehran Home Service, 1 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 6 February, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
February 1986
IRNA cites Prime Minister Hussein Musavi as saying that, "...Iran has not yet deployed chemical weapons although it is capable of doing so."
—"Musavi Denies Iran Used Toxic Bombs," Tehran Times, 24 February 1986.
12 February 1986
IRNA radio reported military communiqués stating that Iranian troops came under chemical weapons attack while defending Iranian-held territory surrounding the Umm Qasr naval base on Iraq's Fao peninsula. Chemical weapons decontamination units were at the scene trying to neutralize the agents. The chemical weapons consisted of "'chemical bullets' as well as missiles, each of which carried 40 liters [approximately 10 gallons] of chemical solution."
—"Casualties Exceed 6,000; Heavy Fighting Continues Amid Mounting Arab Concern," Associated Press, 12 February 1986; "Iranian Claims about Chemical Weapons, Fall of Faw, Umm Qasr," Tehran Radio, 13 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 14 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
13 February 1986
An Iranian military communiqué reports that "the cowardly enemy once again resorted to chemical weapons, but the chemical weapons defense unit took action immediately to neutralize the chemical reagents and evacuate the injured behind the front. This morning also the enemy by mistake subjected the positions of Iraqi forces, which were close to the defensive lines of Islam's combatants, to chemical bombardment and serious casualties were no doubt inflicted on Iraq's Presidential Guards division....Latest reports from Wa al-Fajr operational theater indicate that the Iraqi regime in the past two days has been continuously shelling the area and attacking it with chemical weapons consisting of mustard and nerve gases and also cyanide derivatives. [Note: These cyanide derivatives may be a reference to tabun, which contains cyanide in its molecular structure and is an active leaving group in the nerve agent, cyanogen chloride, or hydrocyanic acid (HCN). Again, no confirmation exists that Iraq used HCN in combat against Iranian troops.] The attacks have been carried out mainly over palm groves in the liberated port city of Fao and on the Fao-Basra road as well as the western bank of Arvand river [Shatt al-Arab]. Those afflicted are suffering from respiratory malfunctioning, sore eyes, and skin burns. A number of them have been transferred to Ahvaz hospital and several others to Tehran."
—"South Yemen: In Brief; Iranian Military Communiqués and Reports," Tehran Home Service, 13 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 15 February, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
13 February 1986
An Iranian military spokesman from the War Information Headquarters claimed that at least 10 Iranian soldiers have been killed and many others injured by Iraqi chemical weapons attacks over the past two days. He went on to say that Iran has asked the UN Secretary General to send a team to Iran to investigate the attack.
—"Seven-Nation Arab Follow-Up Committee Meeting Ends," Xinhua News Agency, 13 February 1986, item number: 021351.
13 February 1986
Iraqi Information Minister Latif Nsayef Jassem rejected the Iranian accusations and instead charged Iran was the one using chemical weapons—specifically late at night on 12 February and early in the morning on 13 February.
—"Iran Claims More Advances, Arab Leaders Seek Security Council Meeting," Associated Press, 13 February 1986.
13 February 1986
Dr. Hamid Sorabpour, a director of a hospital in Tehran, reports that his hospital has already admitted 85 victims of nerve and mustard gas intoxication, and that they expected 70 more to be admitted shortly.
—Kathy Evans, "Chemical Weapons Claims in Gulf War," Financial Times, 14 February 1986, Section 1, p. 4.
13 February 1986
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati chastises the UN and Secretary General Perez de Cuellar for their "inaction vis-à-vis the deployment of chemical weapons by Iraq." Laying blame on the United Nations for the continuing Iraqi chemical weapons use, Mr. Velayati went on to say, "I regret that I have to announce that with the use of chemical weapons by Iraq in the past two days, the Islamic Republic of Iran is left with no recourse but to resort to a new course of action in order to make Iraq refrain from its chemical attacks, unless, with the next few days, an effective international solution is proposed an firmly implemented to halt these attacks by the UN, and Your Excellency in particular."
—"Iranian Claims about Chemical Weapons, Fall of Faw, Umm Qasr," Tehran Radio, 13 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 14 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1, "Iran Claims More Advances, Arab Leaders Seek Security Council Meeting," Associated Press, 13 February 1986.
13 February 1986
Iran's UN Ambassador, Said Rajaie Khorassani, accuses Iraqi planes of attacking the Iranian city of Abadan with chemical weapons. Although he gives no direct figures on the numbers of killed by CW in Abadan, Khorassani claims 2,500 Iranians have been injured and 20 killed by mustard, nerve, and blood agents in the past few days. He goes on to accuse the UN Security Council of "callousness and irresponsibility" in not condemning Iraq's CW use and other violations of international law. Khorassani says he officially asked Secretary General Perez de Cuellar to send a team to investigate the attacks. In response to the Iraqi claims that Iran had used CW against Iraq, Khorassani responded that it was a "big lie" and that "when we use it, we will say it." He warns that "if Iraq uses [CW] one more time, we have to use these weapons if they continue.
—"UN Chief Appeals for Halt to Iran-Iraq Hostilities," Associated Press, 14 February 1986, Nick Ludington, "Iranian Envoy Say Iraq Using Chemical Weapons, Warns Push to Baghdad," Associated Press, 14 February 1986.
13 February 1986
When asked about the conflicting claims of CW use, US State Department spokesman Charles Redman responds that although the United States government could not confirm the accusations at this time, there has been some recent evidence that Iran is developing a CW capacity.
—Jonathan C. Randal and David B. Ottaway, "Iran Pours Reinforcements into Bridgehead in Iraq; Satellite Photos Show Troop Concentrations," The Washington Post, 14 February 1986, p. A23.
14 February 1986
Tehran Radio claims that 17 Iranians have been killed from Iraqi CW and that another 1,500 have been injured. The Martyrs' Foundation in a statement on Tehran Radio condemns Iraq's "inhuman" use of CW and said it plans to send some of the CW victims abroad for medical treatment.
—"Iraq Launches Offensive to Recapture Majnoon Oilfield," Tehran Radio, 14 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 15 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
15 February 1986
Iranian Prime Minister Hussein Musavi warns that Iran will take serious and adequate steps to prevent Iraq from using CW, unless the international community intervenes to stop Iraq. This message is contained in correspondence sent to the leaders of 20 other countries. Earlier, foreign diplomats and reporters were also shown CW victims from the Fao Peninsula in a hospital in Tehran.
—"Iran Warns against Chemical Weapons," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 15 February 1986, item number: 021598.
15 February 1986
A commentary on Tehran Radio criticized the recent meeting of the Arab League's Committee on the Gulf War for not denouncing Iraq's use of chemical weapons. The committee was meeting in Baghdad.
—"Iran Repeats Accusations of Iraqi use of Chemical Weapons," Tehran Radio, 15 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 17 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
15 February 1986
Gholam Reza Hadidi, the Charge d'Affaires for the Iranian embassy in Paris, France, reports during a press conference that Iraq has used CW against Iranian troops three times in the past three weeks. He claims those attacks took place on 27 January, 30 January, and yesterday, 14 February, in an attack on the border city of Abadan.
—"Iran Demands France's Reimbursement of Loan to French Atomic Energy Commission," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 15 February 1986, item number: 021591.
15 February 1986
Iraqi Information Minister Latif Nessayif Jassim dismissed the Iranian allegation that Iraq had used CW against the city of Abadan. Jassim states that Iraqi forces do not need to use CW against civilian targets because they are in full control of all areas of the front. He states that Iran is simply using the CW allegations as a tool to cover up its own CW use against Iraqi forces.
—"Iraq Denies Use of Chemical Weapons," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 15 February 1986, item number: 021517.
15 February 1986
An Iranian military communiqué claims Iraq again used CW against Iranian troops, and that Iranian medical and anti-chemical units attempted to neutralize the effects of the chemical weapons.
—"Iran Says it Repels Iraqi Counter Attacks," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 16 February 1986, item number: 021602.
15 February 1986
In a Iranian-Libyan joint statement issued today, both sides condemned Iraq for using CW during its fighting with Iran. The statement was issued at the end of a visit to Iran by a Libyan delegation led by Abu Zayd Umar Durdah, Secretary for Agrarian Reform and member of the Revolutionary Command Council.
—"Iranian-Libyan Joint Statement: Solidarity in War against Iraq," Tripoli Radio, 15 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 17 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
16 February 1986
Iraq charges that Iran used CW against Iraqi troops, but gave no further details about how many troops are affected, or where the incident took place. Iran countered that Iraq dropped CW bombs from planes and shelled the front with "mustard and nerve gasses and also cyanide derivatives."
—James F. Clarity, Milt Freudenheim and Richard Levine, "Iran and Iraq are at it Again," New York Times, 16 February 1986, Section 4, p. 2.
16 February 1986
Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, West Germany, and Sweden have been asked by Iran to care for some of its victims of CW.
—"Other Countries Asked to Treat Victims of Chemical Weapons," Stockholm Home Service, 16 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 17 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
16 February 1986
Iranian Health Minister Marandi has called upon the World Health Organization to use its influence to stop Iraq from using CW.
—"Iraq and Iran on Fighting Around Faw," Tehran Radio, 16 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 18 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
17 February 1986
Iran sent 38 soldiers to European hospitals to be treated for CW intoxication. Prof. Gerhard Freilinger, a doctor who has treated Iranian CW victims twice in the past, states that "the extent of the burns is much greater than before. These people are all much more seriously injured than the ones I saw earlier....I am certain mustard gas was also involved because respiratory organs...were most seriously damaged." Freilinger went on to say that they would be lucky if four of the eight soldiers taken to Vienna would survive. The Iranian embassy in Sweden reported that the five soldiers airlifted there had been injured by CW dropped by Iraqi warplanes.
—Roland Prinz, "Teenagers Among Soldier Victims of Chemical Weapons Arrive Flown West," Associated Press, 17 February 1986; "100,000 Iranians Set to Raid Iraq, Israel Says," Toronto Star, 18 February 1986, p. A13.
18 February 1986
The Iranian representative to the UN will boycott the special Security Council meeting on the Gulf War in protest of the Council's failure to condemn Iraq's invasion of Iran at the beginning of the war, and its failure to condemn Iraqi use of CW. In related news, Tehran Radio reports that 60 CW victims are being treated in Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, and West Germany. The radio station went on to blame London media outlets for not providing enough media coverage to the plight of the Iranian CW victims.
—"Iranian Accusations on Iraqi use of Chemical Weapons," Tehran Radio, 18 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 19 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
18 February 1986
Doctors at the University of Lausanne reported that the three Iranian soldiers being treated there appear to be suffering from wounds caused by mustard gas.
—"Iraqi Says Offensive Unmasks Iranian 'Lies'," New York Times, 19 February 1986, p. A8.
18 February 1986
The Iranian Charge d'Affaires in London, Seyed Jalal Sadatian, held a press conference to release information detailing more than 50 Iraqi CW attacks between 1980 and 1984. He states that while Iran is not currently considering using these weapons, it would have to reconsider should the attacks continue.
—"Iran 'Now Producing Chemical Weapons'," Jane's Defence Weekly, 7 June 1986, pp. 1024-1025.
19 February 1986
The US State Department condemned Iraq's use of CW. According to the written statement, the State Department claimed that the use of CW "threatens the effort of many decades to ban this kind of warfare." The statement went on to blame Iran for the continuation of the war.
—"US Condemns Iraq's Use of Chemical Weapons," Associated Press, 19 February 1986.
19 February 1986
The Iraqi ambassador to the United Nations, Riyadh al Qaysi, dismissed Iran's accusations that Iraq had used CW weapons.
—"Iraq Favors Comprehensive Settlement of Iran-Iraq Conflict," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 19 February 1986, item number: 0219109.
19 February 1986
The US State Department says that "information available to us strongly suggests that Iraq has used chemical weapons in the latest round of fighting. We condemn this, as we have consistently in the past." The statement did not mention Iraq's allegations of Iranian CW use. Iran claimed that Iraq has recently used a "new type of poisonous gas" against Iranian troops.
—"US Convinced Iraqis are Again Using Poison Gas," Los Angeles Times, 20 February 1986, p. A18.
19 February 1986
The head of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corp Medical Center announces that 8,500 troops have been injured by Iraqi mustard, nerve, and cyanide weapons. Two thousand of these troops are receiving hospital treatment either in Iran, or overseas.
—"Iranian and Iraqi Military Claims," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 21 February, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
20 February 1986
One of the eight Iranian soldiers transported to Vienna for treatment has died from the effects of mustard gas, a doctor there says today. Another soldier was dead on arrival. The others are in danger of succumbing to the same fate, he says. Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of mustard gas. The Iranian Embassy in Belgium said that one of the nine soldiers airlifted there has died. Of the 400 soldiers brought to the Labbanfinejad hospital in Tehran for CW-related treatment, 200 have been released, 7 have died, and over 30 have been sent on to Europe.
—"Iranian Soldier Dies From Mustard Gas, Doctor Says," Toronto Star, 20 February 1986, p. A18; G.G. LaBelle, "Iranian Burn Victims Shown as Evidence of Chemical Warfare Attacks," Associated Press, 20 February 1986; "Two Soldiers Said to be Victims of Poison Gas Die in Vienna, One in Belgium," Associated Press, 20 February 1986.
20 February 1986
IRNA claims that Iraqi planes mistakenly attacked their own forces on the Fao Peninsula today.
—Ian Black, "Iraqis 'Shoot Down Passenger Plane'," The Guardian (London), 21 February 1986.
20 February 1986
Forty-two additional injured Iranian soldiers were sent to Europe for treatment of CW wounds, one of whom died en route. The Iranian Charge d'Affaires in London, Seyed Jalal Sadatian, greeted the group of soldiers airlifted to Great Britain and stated: "This is not the first time Iraq has used chemical weapons and still the rest of the world remains silent and refuses to condemn them." An official of the Iranian embassy in Vienna who greeted soldiers claimed that these were just a small fraction of the more than 8,000 Iranians wounded during the 13 February CW attack. One-quarter of that figure suffered what he deemed "serious injuries."
—"41 Alleged Poison Gas Victims Flown From Iran to Western Europe," Associated Press, 21 February 1986.
21 February 1986
Iraqi Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hisham Sabah al-Fakhri claims the Iranian accusations of CW use on the part of the Iraqi forces are "categorically untrue."
—Mohammed Salam, "Iraqis Pound Faw, Tanks Advance to Retake City," Associated Press, 21 February 1986.
22 February 1986
Maj. Gen. Maher Abdel-Rashid, commander of Iraq's Third Army Corps, claims that Iranian forces launched a CW mortar counterattack against his troops today. He states that the Iranians used "mustard gas and a similar kind of gas." When asked about the effect of the gas on his soldiers, he responded that "we are not used to complaining about casualties." This is the second time during this offensive that Iraq has charged Iran with using CW.
—Mohammed Salam, "Iraq Accuses Iran of Using Chemical Weapons," Associated Press, 22 February 1986;
John Kifner, "Iraqi Says Enemy Uses Mustard Gas," New York Times, 23 February 1986, Section 1, Part 1, p. 11.
22 February 1986
A note handed to Great Britain's Foreign Office by the Iranian Charge d'Affairs in London, states that "the silence of the British government and the international organizations vis-à-vis the Iraqi use of chemical weapons is encouraging the Baghdad regime to continue its war crimes." He said that since Britain claims there is not sufficient evidence to officially condemn Iraq for the atrocities, the British officials should visit the Iranian CW victims undergoing treatment for their injuries in London. He went on to say that Iran hopes to receive an official response to an Iranian enquiry regarding the British sale of chemical weapons-related materials to Iraq. In an apparent response to this last question, a British Foreign Office official informed IRNA that Britain has tightened its export regulations after it apparently sent Iraq fertilizer materials that could also be used in the production of CW.
—"Iran Has Called on Britain to 'Clarify its Stance'," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 24 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1; "Iran Calls on Britain to Clarify Stance," IRNA, 22 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 24 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
23 February 1986
The Iranian Embassy in London announces that one of the 11 Iranian soldiers receiving treatment there for CW intoxication has died. He "had external burns, internal bleeding, his kidneys didn't function and his throat was blocked." [Note: The latter type of injury—pseudomembrane formation in the upper airways—is typical of grave respiratory exposure to mustard gas, and is often the cause of death in such cases.]
—"Iran Has Called on Britain to 'Clarify its Stance'," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 24 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1; "Iran Calls on Britain to Clarify Stance," IRNA, 22 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 24 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
23 February 1986
IRNA cited Iranian Military communiqués as stating that "confused Iraqis" launched CW attacks against their own troops on the Fao Peninsula.
—Joseph Panossian, "Iran Claims 500 Iraqis Killed; Iraq Says Iranian F-4 Downed," Associated Press, 23 February 1986.
23 February 1986
IRNA quotes Iranian Prime Minister Hussein Musavi as saying that although "the worldwide protests against Iraq's frequent use of chemical weapons has forced the Baghdad regime to attribute such criminal acts to Iran, in a bid to rid herself of the accusation...Iran has not yet deployed chemical weapons in the war fronts." However, he warned, "Iran is capable of doing so. If the Iraqi aggression continued, Iran would give a proper answer to it."
—"Radio Tehran: Iranians Still in Control of Faw," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 23 February 1986, item number: 022370; "Iranian Prime Minister Denies Iran Has Used Chemical Weapons," IRNA, 23 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 25 February 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
24 February 1986
The UN Security Council voted unanimously to call for a cease-fire in the Iran-Iraq War. The resolution "deplores the use of chemical weapons contrary to the obligations under the 1925 Geneva Protocol." Iran had boycotted the deliberations leading up to the resolution, and immediately condemned it for not naming Iraq explicitly for beginning the war or using CW. Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Said Rajaie Khorassani, ruefully exclaimed before the vote: "Let them pass their nasty resolution." A few hours after the resolution passed, Iran's speaker of the Parliament, Hashemi Rafsanjani proclaimed the unleashing of a new offensive in northern Iraq to protest what he call an "ineffective and shallow" resolution.
—Joseph Panossian, "Iran Claims 500 Iraqis Killed; Iraq Says Iranian F-4 Downed," Associated Press, 23 February 1986; Nick Ludington, "Security Council Asks Cease-fire; Iran Announces Attack in Protest," Associated Press, 25 February 1986; "Iran Has Called on Britain to 'Clarify its Stance'," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 24 February, 1986, Part 4, p. A1; "Iran Calls on Britain to Clarify Stance," IRNA, 22 February 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 24 February 1986, Part 4, p.A1.
25 February 1986
UN Spokesman Francois Giuliani announces that a team of four specialists has been dispatched to Iran and will arrive in Tehran this evening. They will report back to the UN next week on Iranian charges that Iraq has used CW. The team will not be visiting Iraq because that government has not invited them.
—"United Nations to Investigate Chemical Weapons Charge," Associated Press, 25 February 1986.
26 February 1986
During a trip to the Shatt al-Arab front, Guardian reporter Ian Black notes that all Iranian soldiers "wear light protective suits against chemical attack and carry their gasmasks everywhere."
—Ian Black, "Call to Prayer for Victors in a Land of Horror/Iranian Troops Advance in Southern Iraq in Gulf War," The Guardian (London), 26 February 1986.
26 February 1986
The New York Times states that "although [Iraq and Iran] have accused each other of using chemical weapons, there has never been any evidence that Iran has used them in the five-and-a-half year war, according to US and United Nations officials." (Note: The Times did not mention the names of the officials to which they are referring.]
—"Iranians Launch a New Offensive," New York Times, 26 February 1986, p. A6.
27 February 1986
A five-man United Nations inspection team landed in Tehran to investigate Iranian accusations of Iraqi CW attacks. They will visit a hospital in Tehran before traveling to the border cities of Ahvaz and Abadan in southwestern Iran. Iran repeated its charges that Iraq has used CW in the battle for control of the Fao Peninsula, and claims over 8,500 Iranians have been wounded or killed. According to the Iranian government, about 90 soldiers (five or whom have died) have been sent to Europe to receive treatment. Iran also repeated its accusation that Iraqi planes mistakenly bombed their own troops with CW. In a related matter, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati addressed the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and called for a war crimes tribunal to be established to prosecute the Iraqis responsible for authorizing use of CW. "We want these criminals punished as were those who appeared before the Nuremburg court," Velayati said.
—"UN Team Investigates Iran's Chemical War Allegations," The Guardian (London), 28 February 1986.
27 February 1986
The UN team travels to the Labbafi-Nejad Medical Center in Tehran and meets its director, Dr. H. Sohrabpur. He reports that since the beginning of the Val-Fajr 8 offensive on 9 February 1986, over 400 soldiers wounded by chemical weapons had received treatment at his center. Of these, 11 had died, 31 had been sent abroad, and 33 had been transferred to intensive care units at other Tehran hospitals. The UN team visited some of the patients. According to Dr. Peter Dunn, "Most of the patients we saw and spoke with showed classic symptoms of mustard gas poisoning." He states, "we were taken to several wards to examine and interview nine Iraqi casualties from a group of 15 who were being treated for mustard gas injuries sustained in the Al-Faw area several days before. Speaking out without prompting or duress, Iraqi prisoners all claimed they had been injured by chemical bombs dropped by their own aircraft, either after they had been captured by – or had surrendered to – Iranian forces, or when they were in no-man's land between the opposing forces."
—Peter Dunn, A.M.D.Sc., "The Chemical War: Iran Revisited – 1986; The Second United Nations Mission to Iran – a First-Person Account from the Front," NBC Defense and Technology International, June 1986, pp. 34-35.
28 February 1986
The UN team visits Ahvaz and arrives in time to see "about 50 chemical casualties being loaded into a medi-vac aircraft for transport to Tehran." According to a team member, "the mission's chemical work was made difficult by two unexpected factors. First, there was a delay of about two weeks between the dates of the attacks and the arrival of the mission in Iran. Second, unusually heavy rains pelted southwest Iran in February, flooding many areas. The first area inspected was a building site in a suburb 2km northeast of the center of Abadan. Although chemical bombs fell 15 days before and the area had been decontaminated, we were able to detect residual mustard gas in bomb craters....The second area was flat, water-soaked terrain several hundred meters off the main road running from Abadan to Qofas. We examined three bomb craters...[mustard gas] vapor concentrations of 0-2.5mg/meters cubed were measured at the bottom of the craters even though the area had been decontaminated and excessive water – resulting in the hydrolysis of agents – was present. From the second area we traveled south towards Qofas along the main road....After crossing the Barmanshir River by pontoon bridge, we passed through a plantation of date palms on our way to the Hadhrat Fatima Field Hospital, about 40km from Abadan. We were told that mustard gas bombs has fallen in the groves....The hospital area had been attack the previous day. Of 12 bombs dropped, four had fallen very close to the hospital buildings. Casualties from this attack were those we had examined at Ahvaz Airport earlier that day. One bomb had fallen 15m from the entrance to the hospital..." The team collected soil samples from a non-decontaminated crater about 50m from the hosptial. [Note: These soil samples, after analysis in Sweden and Switzerland, "were shown to contain between 0.1 and 0.2 percent by weight of mustard gas..."] The team noted that it was interesting that unlike the mission in 1984, there were no unexploded mustard gas bombs. They were told later by a captured Iraqi pilot that impact fuses are now being used, rather than timed fuses that were used previously. He also told the team that Iraq had changed its tactics so that chemical bombs were now dropped from high, rather than low altitude. Later in the evening, the team interviewed an Iraqi pilot at the Shaheed Baghai Hospital. He informed them that he had participated in two "special missions" during which he dropped bombs that matched the description of unexploded chemical bombs examined in 1984.
—Peter Dunn, "The Chemical War: Iran Revisited–1986; The Second United Nations Mission to Iran–A First-Person Account from the Front," NBC Defense and Technology International, June 1986, pp. 36-37.
Late February 1986
Iraq responds to Iranian battlefront successes near the Iraqi-Kuwait border with poison gas attacks on infantry troops. Eighty-three Iranian soldiers are evacuated to hospitals in Belgium and Austria. After examining soldiers in Vienna, Dr. Gerhard Freilinger reports, "It is highly likely that not only mustard gas, but also cyanide and a nerve gas known as tabun were used."
—"The Gulf: Playing for Keeps," Newsweek, 3 March 1986, p. 49.
March 1986
At a State Department briefing, the "spokesman added that Syria may have assisted Iranian chemical warfare production."
—Jeff Abramowitz, "CW Changes the Rules of the Middle East War," Jane's Defence Weekly, 7 November 1987, pp. 1063, 1065.
Early March 1986
A third UN mission visits Iran to investigate CW attacks and presents a report to the Secretary General concluding that mustard gas, and occasionally nerve gas, were used by Iraqi forces against Iran.
—Victor A. Utgoff, The Challenge of Chemical Weapons: An American Perspective (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991), p. 82.
2 March 1986
The UN mission investigating chemical weapons in Iran visits the Val-Fajr Infirmary located in Azadi Stadium in Tehran. There they meet the director, Dr. Khatemi, who informs them that all of the chemical casualties transported to Tehran from the front are first brought here for initial diagnosis. Around 15 percent are then transferred on to other Tehran hospitals should they need more intensive treatment. He claims that since early February 1986, around 2,000 chemical casualties have been treated in Ahvaz hospitals, and some 10,000 at the Val-Fajr Infirmary. At a reception with a senior officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the evening, the team receives a request to postpone their departure so they may investigate a new chemical attack in northwestern Iran. The official claims the attack occurred within the last 24 hours and victims had been taken to the town of Baneh. The team, due to time constraints, could not postpone their departure to investigate.
—Peter Dunn, "The Chemical War: Iran Revisited–1986; The Second United Nations Mission to Iran–A First-Person Account from the Front," NBC Defense and Technology International, June 1986, p. 38.
3 March 1986
The UN team investigating Iran's CW accusations left Tehran upon completing its investigation.
—"Iran Says It Captured Strategic Iraqi Heights," New York Times, 4 March 1986, p. A8.
7 March 1986
Unnamed Reagan administration "experts" report that unspecified intelligence reports indicate Iraq has recently used mustard gas. They say that, contrary to Iraqi reports, there is no evidence that Iran has used CW recently.
—Michael R. Gordon, "US and Soviet Hold Talks on Chemical Weapons," New York Times, 8 March 1986, section 1, p. 3.
12 March 1986
The UN mission sent to investigate Iraqi chemical weapons attacks in Iran conclude that, "Based on evidence gathered during this second visit to Iran, the UN mission unanimously concluded that chemical weapons have been used in the Abadan area against Iranian positions by Iraqi forces. Medical examinations and testimony of Iranian and Iraqi casualties evacuated from the Al-Faw area further confirmed the use of chemical weapons in that war zone by Iraqi forces. Delivery weapons were identified as aerial bombs filled with mustard gas. The mission also concluded that the sheer number of casualties [over 70] seen in Tehran and Ahvaz would indicate an escalation in the use of chemical weapons in 1986 compared to 1984...we unanimously conclude that: (a) On many occassions, Iraqi forces have used chemical weapons against Iranian forces; (b) The agent used has mainly been mustard gas although on some occassions nerve gas was also employed."
—Peter Dunn, "The Chemical War: Iran Revisited–1986; The Second United Nations Mission to Iran–A First-Person Account from the Front," NBC Defense and Technology International, June 1986, p. 39.
14 March 1986
UN-sponsored report on the Iran-Iraq War charges Iraq with using chemical weapons "on many occasions" against Iran. UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar condemns Iraq for violating 1925 Geneva Protocol banning chemical weapons. The report accuses Iraq of mostly using mustard gas, with nerve gas used "on some occasions." Although this is the third UN report on CW usage in the Iran-Iraq War since 1984, it is the first that directly names Iraq as the culprit. Neither US State Department nor UN officials believe there is any evidence suggesting Iran used CW against Iraq. Four UN experts collected evidence from 26 February until 3 March and came to the conclusion that "the use of chemical weapons appears to be more extensive than in 1984." They visited over 700 casualties in Tehran and Ahwaz, and found chemical weapons residue in bomb craters in three places in the Iranian city of Abadan, as well as on Iranian-held positions on the Fao Peninsula. Iran's deputy delegate to the UN, Fereidoun Damavandi Kamali, praised the report.
—Sara Robertson, "Chronology: Middle East and the Persian Gulf" in America and the World, Foreign Affairs, 1986, p. 672; "Iranian Women Ready to Lose More 'Martyrs' to Iraqi War," Reuters, reported in Toronto Star, 15 March 1986, p. A10; Elaine Sciolino, "Iraq Cited on Chemical Arms," New York Times, 15 March 1986, section 1, p. 2; "Iran Doctor Tells of Mustard Gas Attack," The Guardian (London), 25 March 1986.
14 March 1986
IRNA charges that Britain has delivered 10 cylinders of chemicals weighing 780kg to Iraq, and links this distribution to past instances where Britain has delivered chemical weapons to Iraq.
—"Iran in Brief; Alleged Supply of British Chemical Weapons to Iraq," IRNA, 14 March 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 19 March, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
16 March 1986
A radio commentary claims that "the UN organization, the UN Secretary General...and international and regional organizations are responsible for defending [international laws banning the use of CW] and obstructing their violation. However, the initiative of the UN Secretary General and the stance adopted in the past by the UN organization, the UN Security Council in particular, lack the determination required for stopping a regime that violates international law." The commentary goes on to blame the Secretary General for not openly criticizing the Iraqi regime and argues that simply disclosing that the Geneva Protocol was violated will not deter Iraq from using CW again in the future.
—"Iranian Call for Firm UN Stance Against Iraq on Use of Chemical Weapons," Tabriz in Azeri for Abroad, 16 March 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 20 March, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
17 March 1986
A two-day seminar on chemical and biological warfare, and ways to limit their affects, began at Shiraz University in Shiraz, Iran today. The opening statement read at the conference blamed Iraq for using CW and demanded that a severe punishment should be brought to bear against anyone using those kinds of weapons. The statement went on to say that, although Iran has the capability of manufacturing CW, it was not doing so due to its respect of international norms and regulations. Iran is hosting the conference as a way to better enable it to counteract the effects of these weapons.
—"Iran in Brief: Seminar on Chemical Weapons," IRNA, 17 March 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 19 March, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
20 March 1986
US Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, Donald Lowitz, announces that the UN report issued earlier in the week regarding Iraq's use of CW against Iran is "in accord with the United States findings....My country deplores Iraq's use of chemical weapons in this conflict."
—"US Condemns Iraq's Use of Chemical Arms," Reuters, reported in Los Angeles Times, 21 March 1986, Part 1, p. 15.
22 March 1986
Iran's foreign minister demands a formal resolution from the UN Security Council condemn Iraqi use of CW. He states that Iraq began using CW three years ago and the UN has done nothing to stop it. He claims that more needs to be done than simply issuing a statement condemning Iraq's actions.
—"Iran Urges UN to Stop Iraq from Using Chemical Weapons," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 23 March 1986, item number: 032320.
23 March 1986
Mohsen Rafiq-Dust, Minister of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), spoke about the extensive use of CW that Iraq employed as a means of disrupting Iran's logistical support lines. He claimed Iraq's use of over 1,000 bombs and 6,000 artillery shells (8,000+ liters of chemical weapons) would have been more than enough to thoroughly contaminate an area twice the size as the one currently occupied by Iran. He said that Iran was able to mitigate the effects of the weapons through protective gear and decontamination equipment.
—"Iranian Revolution Guards Corps Minister Discusses War with Iraq," Tehran Home Service, 23 March 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 25 March, 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
24 March 1986
Iranian military communiqués claim that Iraq resumed its use of CW yesterday and and reported CW being used on Abadan at 12:30 a.m. GMT.
—"Iranian Military Communiqués and Reports," Tehran Home Service, 24 March 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 2 April 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
25 March 1986
Iran's foreign ministry charges that, despite the UN's condemnation last week of Iraq's use of CW, Iraq has continued using CW over the past two days, poisoning a number of Iranian soldiers. The attacks took place along the Fao-Basra Highway, beginning yesterday. The foreign ministry urges the Security Council and other international organizations "to take a decisive measure to halt such war criminal acts...The various countries of the world should boycott or put pressure on the Baghdad government to force it to respect international conventions. "
—"Iran Calls on UN to Stop Iraq from Using Chemical Weapons," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 23 March 1986, item number: 0325134; "Iran Accuses Iraq of Using Chemical Weapons Again," Associated Press, 25 March 1986.
25 March 1986
An unidentified "knowledgeable US source" states that Syria has begun producing CW. When asked if the Syrians were providing CW to Iran, the source said, "I think I'd better not answer that question." The disclosure came at a briefing for reporters at the State Department on the current status of arms control talks.
—Barry Schweid, "Source Says Syria is Producing Chemical Weapons," Associated Press, 26 March 1986.
31 March 1986
The commander of Iraq's Third Corps, Gen. Mahir Abdal Rashid, says that he would not hesitate to use any weapon, including CW, at his disposal to fight Iran.
—"Iraqi Corps Commander Says Iraq Capable of Recapturing Faw," Arab Times (Kuwait), 31 March 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 3 April 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
17 April 1986
An Iranian doctor from the Shiraz University medical institute announces that he has developed a new ointment effective in treating burns caused by CW blister agents. The ointment comprises 25 chemical compounds, and samples have been sent to the front.
—"Iranian Doctor Makes New Anti-Burn Pomade," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 17 April 1986, item number: 041778.
20 April 1986
An Iranian delegation to a Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Coordinating Bureau meeting, led by Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, walked out of the meeting in protest after the Bureau failed to condemn Iraq for using CW against Iran. Iran had expected the NAM meeting to name Iraq as an aggressor in the conflict and a violator of international norms and laws.
—"Iranian Foreign Minister Explains Walk-Out," PTI, 20 April 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 21 April 1986, Part 3, p. 1.
21 April 1986
Iran claims that Iraq has again used CW, beginning yesterday afternoon as well as this morning on a northern portion of the Fao Peninsula. An Iraqi spokesman responded to this charge by stating that the claims were "ridiculous" and that "Iraq did not use chemical weapons, nor is it in need of using them." Iran did not mention how many troops were injured in the CW attacks.
—"Iran Accuses Iraq of Using Chemicals Weapons in Faw," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 21 April 1986, item number: 042157; "Iran Claims Iraq Resorts to Chemical Weapons After 4,000 Weekend Casualties," Associated Press, 21 April 1986; "170 Afghans Killed in Raid on Soviet Army," Reuters, reported in Toronto Star, 21 April 1986, p. A15.
27 April 1986
The Minister of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Mr. Rafiq-Dust, announces that the Corps has made considerable progress in the missile, aircraft, chemical, and nuclear fields.
—"Iran; Production of Mortar Shells," Tehran Home Service, 27 April 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 6 May 1986, Part 4, p. A3; Paula A. DeSutter, Denial and Jeopardy Deterring Iranian Use of NBC Weapons (Washington, DC: National Defense University Press, 1997), p. 23.
29 April 1986
Iranian Prime Minister Mir Hoseyn Musavi visited the Parchin group of chemical facilities today. The facilities belong to the Defense Industries Organization (DIO). The Defense Minister, the head of DIO, explained to the Prime Minister that despite the DIO's inability to secure the original architectural plans for the plants, installation, operation, and expansion of the plants had taken place as plan, thanks to intensive efforts from Iranian specialists.
—"Iran: In Brief; Prime Minister Visits Defense Industry Chemical Plant," Tehran Home Service, 29 April 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 2 May 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
May 1986
Iran's Consul General in Hong Kong, Said Zare, denies claims of illegal trafficking of restricted materials, including a failed gas mask sale, to Iran via Hong Kong: "There is definitely no trade [between Hong Kong and Iran] in this type of material." However, re-export statistics from the Hong Kong government, statements from several locally-based businessmen and US intelligence sources, and proof from a US District Court in Atlanta contradict his statement.
—Robert Karniol, "Iran's Hong Kong Connection," Defense & Foreign Affairs, May 1986, p. 42.
12 May 1986
Upon concluding a meeting in Geneva, the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Director General of International Affairs and the UN Executive Secretary for Planning and Environment, released a statement condemning Iraq's use of chemical weapons. The text states that "UN experts have stressed that chemical gases have been used by Iraq in the war against Iran. Not only is this action in contravention of international regulations, but endangers the health of mankind. The environment section of the UN is in unison with all efforts directed at preventing the use of chemical and bacteriological gases in any part of the world. It is prepared to utilize all its facilities in this respect."
—"Joint Iranian-UN Condemnation of Iraqi Use of Chemical Weapons," Tehran Home Service, 12 May 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 14 May 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
18 May 1986
Factories in Iran are now producing a military uniform offering protection against chemical weapons.
—Xu Boyuan, "News Analysis: Will Plummeting World Oil Prices Stop Iran-Iraq War?" Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 18 May 1986, item number: 0518074.
25 May 1986
Iran claims that Iraq used chemical weapons in Mehran and Saleh-Abad at 6:45 a.m. in western Iran. IRNA reports that casualties are low because troops in those regions are equipped with gas masks.
—"Iran Bombs Military, Economic Targets in Iraq," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 26 May 1986, item number: 0526009; "Iranian Military Communiqués and Reports," Tehran Home Service, 25 May 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 28 May 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
27 May 1986
Unidentified US arms control officials claim that Libya and Iran are attempting to develop a CW capability, and point out that any nation with a modern chemical industry can easily develop CW from fertilizers and pesticides.
—Robert C. Toth, "Germ, Chemical Arms Reported Proliferating," Los Angeles Times, 27 May 1986, Part 1, p. 1.
27 May 1986
Foreign journalists brought by Iranian officials to the Labbafinejad Hospital in Tehran are shown Iranian soldiers injured in last Sunday's alleged CW attack near the city of Mahran. Doctors inform the journalists that six of the 38 Iranian soldiers brought to the hospital following the attack are in critical condition due to mustard gas intoxication.
—"Iran Accuses Iraq of Chemical Bombing," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 26 May 1986, item number: 0526009.
5 June 1986
The US State Department maintains that Iran has been attempting to develop a CW capability, but that it has been unable to deploy them. Bernard Kalb, spokesman for the State Department states that "We have known for several years that both Iran and Iraq have had active, ongoing programs to develop chemical weapons. Our imposition of chemical export controls two years ago was designed to impede the supply of chemical weapons precursors to these two countries. Unidentified intelligence reports note that Syria has begun the production of CW and has entered into talks with Iran on cooperating in that field. Mr. Kalb announces that "the United States is concerned that Syria may have a chemical weapons capability and has assisted Iran in the Iranian war effort." However, he notes, "Iran has not used chemical weapons, but their continued use by Iraq and the potential for Iranian use is a cause of concern." Kalb goes on to add that the US has no proof that Syria has given CW to Iran.
—Bernard Gwertzman, "US Includes Syria in Chemicals Ban," New York Times, 6 June 1985; "US Includes Syria in Ban on Sales of Weapons Chemicals," Associated Press, reported in Los Angeles Times, 5 June 1986, Part 1, p. 2; Norman Kempster, "US Cites Threat of Poison Gas, Curbs Export of Chemicals to Syria," Los Angeles Times, 6 June 1986, Part 1, p. 15.
5 June 1986
Reports about Iran's alleged CW program arise out of Iranian government budget debates. According to the Iranian resistance newspaper, Iran Liberation, a budget bill was introduced to establish an organization called Jahad-e Daneshgahi (University Crusade) to gather young Iranian scientists for CW research. The details released during the debate said the University Crusade would have "200 graduates with at least a first degree...carrying out various experiments on such products as mustard gas and military equipment." The deputy who gave these details went on to say that "these products are now on the production line."
—"Iran 'Now Producing Chemical Weapons'," Jane's Defence Weekly, 7 June 1986, pp. 1024-1025.
15 July 1986
Timothy Renton, Minister of State for the British Foreign Office, speaking at the Conference on Disarmament, states that Iraq can produce hundreds of tons of mustard and nerve agents, and that "Iran may in turn be taking steps to acquire its own chemical weapons." The New York Times states that Renton said that Iran and other Middle East countries appear to be developing CW.
—Rodney Cowton, "British Warning of Chemical Weapons: Foreign Office Minister Renton Proposes International Ban at Geneva Conference," The Times (London), 16 July 1986; "Briton Say Iraq Plans More Chemical Weapons," New York Times, 16 July 1986, p. A7.
17 July 1986
The Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) urged Japanese industry to avoid exporting to Iran and Iraq 40 kinds of chemicals that could be used to make CW.
—"Industry Urged Not to Sell Chemicals to Iran, Iraq," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 17 July 1986; "MITI Asks Prudence in Exporting Dangerous Chemicals," Japan Economic Newswire, Kyodo News Service, 18 July 1986.
14 August 1986
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati claims that Iraq has used CW on five occasions since March, and called on the Conference on Disarmament to open an investigation on which countries supplied Iraq with its chemical weapons capabilities, renew its condemnation of all use of CW, ban the export of CW-related chemicals and equipment, and immediately send CW investigating teams to Iran when Iran requests them. He complains that although many European countries have export controls, there is no thorough administration to force export compliance. If Iraq could procure and produce CW, he states, any country could do so. He urged Iraq to officially renounce further use of CW. If it did not, and if it continues to use CW, Iran, Velayati states, reserves the right to defend itself.
—Alan McGregor, "Iranian Plea on Chemical Arms, Gulf War," The Times (London), 15 August 1986; "Around the World; 16 on Iranian Tanker Reported Killed by Raid," Reuters, reported in New York Times, 15 August 1986, p. A7; "Iran's Velayati Condemns Iraqi Use of Chemical Weapons," IRNA, 14 August 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 16 August 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
23 August 1986
A commentary on Tehran radio expresses the view that Iran would like the Non-Aligned Movement to condemn Iraq because it is the aggressor in the war and for its use of CW.
—"Tehran Radio Says Non-Aligned Movement Should be More "Realistic" on Gulf War," Tehran Home Service, 23 August 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 26 August 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
25 August 1986
The New York Times cites unidentified intelligence reports as claiming that Iran has a program to develop CW, although it is smaller than the Syrian program. The reports suggest that Syria may be helping Iran on its CW program. Unidentified American officials state that there is no evidence that Iran has used CW, although Iran may have fired back at Iraqi forces some unexploded CW shells that Iraq had fired at its forces.
—Michael R. Gordon, "Talks Resume to Stop Spread of Chemical Arms," New York Times, 25 August 1986, p. A4.
28 August 1986
In an interview with Iranian radio and television, Hashemi-Rafsanjani is asked: "As you are aware, in this war Iraq made use of chemical weapons over and over again....The question is: does the Islamic Republic of Iran have the facilities to retaliate in kind or not, and if it has, why did we retaliate in kind in the past in the sense that when they hit us with missiles we also hit them with missiles and when they came with their aircraft we did the same why have we not, in this particular case, retaliated in kind up to now? Does the potential exist or not?" Rafsanjani replies that, "In those early days they claimed that they had certain facilities which we did not have. But since we did have the technology for this, we took certain measures and we can retaliate in kind to the same level as Iraq." He denies that Iran bought the CW from Israel.
—"Rafsanjani's Interview and Friday Sermon Comments on War," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 August 1986, Part 4, p. A1; "Iran's Rafsanjani Interviewed on Gulf War," Mashhad Regional Service relaying Tehran Home Service and Tehran Television, 28 August 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 1 September 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
4 September 1986
Iran charges that Iraq lobbed two shells filled with CW on Iranian soldiers stationed in the Hajj Omran sector of northeastern Iraq where Iran began its Karbala 2 offensive last week, killing one soldier and wounding seven more.
—"Iran Says Iraq Renews Use of Chemical Weapons in Hajj Omran Sector," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 6 September 1986, Part 4, p. A1; Aly Mahmoud, "Iran Accuses Iraq of using Chemical Weapons," Associated Press, 5 September 1986.
5 September 1986
The Iranian War Information Headquarters calls upon international organizations, particularly the Non-Aligned Movement, to "break their silence and condemn the Iraqi regime" for using CW.
—"Iran Says Iraq Renews Use of Chemical Weapons in Hajj Omran Sector," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 6 September 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
8 September 1986
The Isfahan Reconstruction Crusade has now begun mass production of a device designed to neutralize chemical weapons. The device was previously produced only in limited quantities. According to the designer of the device, it was originally produced "four years ago but many changes have taken place since. The first apparatus built was controlled from the outside and its spraying range was less than 360 degrees. Now...we are proud to have manufactured something that is much better than similar products manufactured abroad. For example, our machine has a firing range of more than 100 meters in contrast to the 22-meter range of foreign ones....The machine is operated from the inside unlike the American one. The crew members do not have to wear special clothing to shield them from chemical weapons. Oxygen is fed into the crew's compartment so that they can easily breathe even in the most contaminated areas....An additional feature this year is a digital wind sensor...that shows which way the wind is blowing and the exact speed of the wind in kilometers."
—"Iran Producing Equipment to Neutralise Chemical Weapons," Tehran Home Service, 8 September 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 8 September 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
8 September 1986
The Iranian News Agency reports that "Iraqi troops attacked Bamo and Sheykh Saleh regions, in west Iran, with chemical bombs [this] afternoon. The area is still under chemical bombardment. So far 125 Muslim combatants have been hospitalized and the number of injured is expected to rise."
—"Iraqi Air Raids: Iran Alleges Chemical Attacks," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 10 September 1986, Part 4, p. A1; Samir F. Ghattas, "Warring Nations Trade Attacks on Cities," Associated Press, 9 September 1986.
9 September 1986
IRNA claims that that Iraqi forces again dropped CW agents on Sheykh Saleh on Tuesday, in addition to the first raids on that town and the town of Bamo on Monday.
—Samir F. Ghattas, "Iraq Says it Hit Refinery, Tanker," Associated Press, 10 September 1986.
9 September 1986
In a statement issued by the War Information Headquarters, Iran threatens to "heavily bombard" Iraqi industrial areas "in retaliation for the Baghdad regime's use of chemical weapons...and its raids on Iranian industrial and residential points."
—"Iran Warns Civilians / Gulf War Bombing Offensive Threatened," The Guardian (London), 11 September 1986; "Iran Threatens Retaliation for Iraq's Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons," British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 11 September 1986, Part 4, p. A1.
10 September 1986
IRNA states that Foreign Minister Velayati has sent an official note to the UN Secretary General protesting Iraq's recent CW attacks and the bombing raid on the city of Tabriz. Velayati states that Iran "will no longer tolerate these Iraqi atrocities and will take deterrent measures against repeated Iraqi violations of international regulations." He demands the UN take appropriate measures to prevent Iraq from continuing these types of attacks in the future.
—Samir F. Ghattas, "Iraq Says it Hit Refinery, Tanker," Associated Press, 10 September 1986.
12 September 1986
Iran fires missiles into Baghdad in retaliation for Iraq's recent CW attacks in northwestern Iran. An Iranian military communiqué states that "the experience of the past six years has proved this fact, that the Islamic Republic of Iran should individually take measures against the violations of the Iraqi regime of international laws."
—Samir F. Ghattas, "Iran Fires Missiles Into Baghdad, 21 Reported Killed," Associated Press, 12 September 1986.
25 September 1986
An Iraqi military communiqué states that Iraqi planes bombed a military-run chemical facility in Isfahan today.
—"Iraqi, In UN, Asks End to Iran War," New York Times, 26 September 1986, p. A10.
30 September 1986
Due to an Iraqi raid on an Iranian chemical fertilizer facility in Isfahan, Voice of the Liberation of Iran reports that the Swedish engineers who had been in charge of the facility have been asked to "permanently" leave Iran. Quoting the "Lloyd's insurance company of London," this report alleges that the Isfahan facility was devoted to the production of chemical weapons and is now out of action because of the bombing.
—"Esfahan's Chemical Plant After Iraqi Attack," Voice of the Liberation of Iran (in Persian), 30 September 1986, reported in FBIS-SAS-86-190, 1 October 1986, p. 15.
Late September 1986
According to Chemical Week, official reports from Iran and Iraq claim that Iraqi jets bombed chemical process industries plants deep inside Iran. Iraq claims its planes hit a petrochemical plant at Isfahan and an aluminum complex and agricultural machinery plant at Arak.
—"Bombing and Building in Iran," Chemical Week, 8 October 1986, p. 15.
2 October 1986
Platt's Petrochemical Report states that the Isfahan chemical facility struck by Iraqi planes last week was a petrochemical facility. Although Iran has given no indication as to the type of petrochemical facility it was, Platt's notes that an aromatics facility was due to begin operations there in 1989, and was set to produce 80,000 tones/year benzene and 40,000 tones/year of toluene and paraxylene, among other products. [Note: Such chemical products have little or no relevance to CW agent production.]
—"Iranian Petrochemical Complex Attacked by Iraqi Jets," Platt's Petrochemical Report, 2 October 1986, p. 5.
4 October 1986
More than 100 of the CW neutralizing devices manufactured by the Isfahan Construction Jihad Ministry (see 8 September 1986 entry) have been sent to the front lines for use in the war against Iraq. Mr. Khameneh'I, Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council and Reconstruction Jihad Minister Zanganeh were in attendance at the ceremony.
—"Iran Deploys Anti-Chemical Weapons," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 4 October 1986; "Iran: In Brief; Machines to Neutralise Chemical Weapons Sent to Front," Tehran Home Service, 4 October 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 7 October 1986, Part 4, p. A9.
5 October 1986
Tehran Radio reports that 150 of the CW neutralizing devices (see 8 September 1986 and 4 October 1986 entries) have been sent to the front.
—"Iran: In Brief; Machines to Neutralise Chemical Weapons Sent to Front," Tehran Home Service, 4 October 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 7 October 1986, Part 4, p. A9.
5 October 1986
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, speaking on the topic of the current UN Security Council session on the Iran-Iraq War, states that "As we have witnessed, the Secretary General's efforts in connection with war crimes and the use of chemical weapons by Iraq have to some extent clarified the facts although, unfortunately, no decisive action has been taken to deter this violator of international laws and the party responsible for such war damage. At present the bombing of civilian areas and the use of chemical weapons continues in spite of condemnation by the Security Council and the UN Secretary General. The Secretary General is well aware that the Islamic Republic of Iran, in spite of its capability, has refused to make use of chemical weapons."
—"Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman's Statement on UN Session on Gulf War," Tehran Home Service, 5 October 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 7 October 1986, Part 4, p. A7.
9 October 1986
Iran rejects the latest UN Security Council resolution on the Iran-Iraq War and criticized the Security Council for not denouncing Iraq for employing CW against Iranian forces.
—"Iran Rejects UN Security Council Resolution on Gulf War," Xinhua General Overseas News Service (PRC), 9 October 1986, item number: 1009026.
12 October 1986
Iraq announces that it has destroyed "warfare, chemicals, and ammunition plant" during a raid at 10:30 GMT on the Iranian city of Isfahan.
—"Iraqi Military Communiqués and Reports," Baghdad Home Service, 12 October 1986, reported in British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 14 October 1986, Part 4, p. A1; Tony Walker, "Iran Attacks Oil Terminal as Gulf War Intensifies," Financial Times (London), 13 October 1986, p. 2.
29 October 1986
[Note: Anthony Cordesman cites a Washington Times article that supposedly has something to do with Iran's lack of a chemical weapons ability at the time Iraq launched its first CW attacks. The article also states that 1985 and possibly 1984, Iran used chemical mortars and artillery shells captured from Iraq. Finally, the article also states that Iran began domestic production of chemical weapons in 1986-1987. This article is the backbone of Cordesman's evidence on Iran's chemical weapons program in the 1980s. Unfortunately, it does not appear to exist.]
