Iran condemns Western involvement in chemical warfare

Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has reaffirmed Iran's staunch opposition to the use of chemical weapons, emphasizing Iran's historical victimization and the international community's complicity in past atrocities.

Bagheri Kani issued a statement on June 29 marking the anniversary of a tragic event on June 28, 1987, when chemical bombs dropped by Saddam Hussein's regime killed over 110 people and injured 8,000 in West Azarbaijan Province, Caliber.Az writes, citing Iranian media.

He criticized the former Iraqi dictator's regime, backed by certain Western states, for conducting multiple chemical attacks against Iranian civilians and military personnel during the 8-year Iran-Iraq War, while international responses remained muted.

Despite facing extensive chemical assaults, Bagheri Kani asserted that Iran upheld moral principles and refrained from retaliatory measures. He underscored Iran's status as the primary victim of chemical warfare and reiterated its strong stance against such weapons.

Bagheri Kani denounced the complicity of Western governments and companies, particularly Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, in facilitating Saddam's chemical capabilities through scientific, technical, and political support. He condemned ongoing support from the United States and the UK to Saddam's war efforts, even after UN experts confirmed and documented the regime's use of chemical weapons against Iranian civilians.

The Iranian diplomat called for accountability, stressing that those responsible for deploying chemical weapons against Iran must face justice, irrespective of the passage of time. He urged international bodies to fulfill their obligations in holding perpetrators accountable and securing justice for victims to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Bagheri Kani highlighted Iran's decades-long commitment to providing medical and health services to chemical attack victims, despite facing challenges in recent years due to unjust sanctions imposed by Western states, particularly the US. He dismissed claims by Washington that humanitarian aid is exempt from sanctions as false, emphasizing the detrimental impact on Iran's humanitarian efforts.