An Iranian Perspective on Humanitarian Consequences of Preemption: Lessons Learned from the Past Shahriar Khateri MD SCWVS Nuclear Weapons: The Final Pandemic Preventing Proliferation and Achieving Abolition London, October

Iran – Iraq War The longest conventional war of the 20 th Century Sep.1980 – Aug.1988

Aftermath ( The war was disastrous for both countries ) Iranian Side : 220,000 Dead 500,000 Injured / disabled 40,000 POW Millions affected

Chemical warfare during Iran-Iraq war

Use of chemical weapons in Iran - Iraq War

June 1987, Sardasht Tragedy

Sardasht Tragedy, June تیر 1366 ، سردشت، گاز خردل....

March Halabja Tragedy

UNMOVIC Report: Iraq consumed almost 19,500 chemical bombs, over 54,000 chemical artillery shells and 27,000 short-range chemical rockets between 1983 and Iraq declared that about 1,800 tonnes of Mustard, 140 tonnes of Tabun and over 600 tonnes of Sarin had been consumed during these years.

Chemical warfare during Iran-Iraq war 350 Gas Attacks(30 civilian targets) >1 million were exposed > 100,000 casualties registered > 50,000 are suffering from long term health effects of c.w

Too Late ! Security Council Resolution No: May 1988 Security Council Resolution No: Aug 1988 UN Documents: UN Document S/16140 Nov.10, 1983 UN Document S/16433 March 26, 1984 UN Document S/16454 March 30, 1984 UN Document S/17843 Feb. 18, 1986 UN Document S/17911 March.12, 1986 UN Document S/17932 March.21, 1986 UN Document S/18852 May 03, 1987 UN Document S/19006 Jul.30, 1987 UN Document S/19823 Apr.25, 1988 UN Document S/19869 May 06, 1988 UN Document S/19886 May 16, 1988 UN Document S/19892 May 16, 1988 UN Document S/19942 June 16, 1988 UN Document S/19943 June 16, 1988 UN Document S/19946 June 17, 1988 UN Document S/20060 July.20, 1988 UN Document S/20084 Aug.03, 1988 UN Document S/20134 Aug.19, 1988 UN Document S/20151 Aug.26, 1988

AFTERMATH

Ocular Lesions

Psychological impacts major anxiety symptomsSevere Depressive Symptoms Subjects\ symptom 64.7%41.2% CW Exposed population 13%12% Conventional weapons victims 9%5.9% Non-Exposed to CW or war

37 years old man who had exposure to Mustard gas in 1986 and now complains of progressive dyspnea & hemoptysis

BRONCHIAL STENOSIS Bronchoscopic view showed severe narrowing of left main bronchus that 2.5 mm Fiberoptic bronchoscope can not pass through it.

Late Toxic Effects Lung

Low level Exposure: Chronic effects

The environment A casualty of war!

Timeline of Chemical Weapons Use against Iran

Mustard in Water study of the environmental impact of ocean dumping of chemical warfare agents: Mustard is quite insoluble in water. it tends to form plastic lumps on the bottom of the see or rivers, which can be brought to the surface by trawling. Thus, the small but steady number of fishermen who are injured every year through contact with the mustard.

The environmental impact is still being felt!

Even More Toxic mustard in munitions often had additives to either raise the viscosity or reduce the freezing point or to increase the toxicity It is a serious threat for environment and food chain in the region

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