Iran vows to pursue Sardasht chemical attack case

Iran has announced it will seriously pursue the case of the 1987 chemical bombing of Sardasht, a city in West Azerbaijan province. The announcement was made by Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, in a post on X on Saturday, marking the anniversary of the attack.

"Sardasht was not only a victim of chemical bombs; it was a victim of double standards and silence in the face of the countries (especially Germany, the US, the UK, and the Netherlands) that armed Saddam's regime with these inhumane weapons and then turned a blind eye to the suffering of thousands of victims," Gharibabadi wrote. "We will seriously pursue the responsibility of the perpetrators of this crime," he added.

The attack occurred on July 28, 1987, when Iraq's air force under former dictator Saddam Hussein targeted four densely populated areas of Sardasht with chemical bombs. The bombing killed 110 civilians and exposed approximately 8,000 others to toxic gases, causing severe poisoning and lifelong health consequences. The chemical agents used included mustard gas and nerve agents, which led to chronic respiratory diseases, skin disorders, and increased cancer rates among survivors.

Sardasht was one of several Iranian cities subjected to chemical attacks during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). The international community has been criticized for failing to hold Iraq accountable for the use of chemical weapons, which were supplied by Western countries including Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Iran has repeatedly called for justice and compensation for the victims.

According to Mehr News, Gharibabadi's statement reaffirms Iran's commitment to pursuing legal avenues to hold the perpetrators accountable. The case is part of broader efforts by Iran to seek recognition and redress for the victims of chemical warfare during the war.