Third Kangan unit completes first project phase

Iraq announced it would release prisoners captured during the war with Iran. Large-scale returns followed two years after the ceasefire.

Rafsanjani said Iran still wanted Iraq to leave Kuwait despite Iraq’s peace overtures. Iran’s bilateral war settlement and its stance on Kuwait were distinct issues.

ICRC-supervised mass repatriation began. Iranian captives could return home, while Iran also released Iraqi prisoners.

Air shuttles began alongside border transfers at Qasr-e-Shirin. ICRC-chartered flights also carried wounded and sick prisoners.

The Arak-Hamedan oil-products pipeline was inaugurated, extending domestic fuel transport infrastructure during reconstruction. A nearby depot’s unfinished work was a separate project.

Tariq Aziz visited Tehran and held talks with Velayati on lasting peace and the Gulf crisis. The visit followed Iraq’s acceptance of Iran’s settlement terms in August.

Iraq’s news agency announced restoration of diplomatic relations with Iran after ministerial talks. The announcement is retained separately from later operational steps.

By this date, the ICRC records 37,861 Iranian and 40,960 Iraqi prisoners repatriated since 17 August. Remaining cases continued for years.

Resolution 671 continued UNIIMOG’s mandate to monitor the ceasefire and withdrawal. Iran’s border security remained subject to international observation.

Iran and Britain resumed diplomatic relations after their 1989 break. A later British parliamentary answer gives the date and distinguishes it from reopening embassies.