US should pay $ 245mln for Iranian chemical weapons victims

(AhlulBayt News Agency) – Iran’s Judiciary Spokesman Gholam Hossein Mohseni Eje’i announced that an Iranian court has issued a decree which requires the US administration to pay almost $245mln to the victims of chemical weapons supplied to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980s war against Iran. 

“A number of people who have been harmed during the chemical bombing have filed lawsuits and a court has issued decrees for 18 of them who have been harmed or died and estimated their ransom,” Mohseni Eje’i told reporters in a press conference in Tehran on Sunday. He added that based on the court’s ruling, the US administration should pay almost $245mln to 18 people as victims of Saddam’s chemical bombings.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of former Iraqi dictator Saddam’s chemical attack against the Northwestern city of Sardasht in July, lashed out at the US for its double-standard approach towards chemical weapons use.

“Those who are today claiming that chemical weapon has been used in Syria, in a suspicious and dangerous scenario, are those who not only ignored using the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and banned chemical weapons against the Iranian soldiers and civilians during the imposed war against this innocent but proud nation (Iranian) but also were accomplices in Saddam’s crime by arming and all-out support for the criminal regime of Saddam,” Zarif said.

He also stressed that Iran condemns use or threat to use the WMDs, including chemical weapons, as well as use of chemical attack allegations as a pretext to pave the ground for illegal action against independent nations and government.

His remarks alluded to the rumors of the US attacks against Syria after spokesperson for the United States administration accused Syria of preparing to stage a chemical attack in the Arab country, threatening that Washington would make Damascus pay “a heavy price.” “Iran is against using such weapons in any place, any time and by anyone,” Zarif underscored. Iran has always stressed the urgent need for the dismantlement of the WMDs, including chemical weapons, as it has been a victim of such weapons.

Tens of thousands of Iranians were killed and wounded by chemical weapons during the 1980-1988 Iraqi imposed war on Iran. Around 100,000 Iranians are still living with the effects, which include long-term respiratory problems, eye and skin problems as well as immune system disorders, psychological disorders, genetic disorders, and probably cancers.

Sardasht is a city in Northwestern Iran. According to the 2006 census, its population was 37,000. It lies in the West Azarbaijan province. It was the first city in which civilians were attacked with chemical weapons by former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein during the imposed Iraqi war on Iran.

The population of Sardasht is Kurdish. Sardasht is also known for the many villages around it and their reliability on the city’s market. On June 28, 1987, Iraqi aircraft dropped what Iranian authorities believed to be mustard gas bombs on Sardasht, in two separate bombing runs on four residential areas. Sardasht was the first town in the world to be gassed. Out of a population of 20,000, 25% are still suffering severe illnesses from the attacks.