Report records a guarded Iranian response to renewed NAM mediation

A U.S. cable restated restrictions on military exports and transfers to Iran and Iraq. For Iran, access to parts for its U.S.-origin arsenal remained a central wartime problem.

After meetings with Palme, Iran reiterated that Iraqi troops must leave Iranian territory before negotiations. Occupation remained central to Tehran’s terms for peace.

Olof Palme’s third mediation mission ended without arranging a ceasefire. Iran had maintained that Iraqi troops must leave its territory before negotiations.

An Islamic mission proposed a ceasefire followed by troop withdrawals and negotiations. For Iran, the sequence raised the question of ending occupation before negotiating.

Envoys from Cuba, India, Zambia and the PLO arrived in Tehran from Baghdad. They described the mission as learning the sides’ positions, rather than presenting a finished peace plan.

William Eagleton and Tariq Aziz discussed improving U.S.–Iraqi relations and trade. The rapprochement developed while Iran was still fighting to recover occupied territory.

Khomeini stripped Bani-Sadr of command of the armed forces. The decision deepened a political struggle at the top of Iran’s wartime government before the president’s impeachment and dismissal.

An ICRC operation returned 25 seriously wounded Iranian prisoners of war to Tehran airport. The return provided an early humanitarian route home during continuing combat.

A large protest against efforts to remove Bani-Sadr led to clashes and arrests in Tehran. Executions and repression followed, widening the internal crisis while Iran remained at war with Iraq.

Mostafa Chamran, a former defense minister and leader of irregular forces, was killed near Dehlavieh. His death became a prominent part of Iranian remembrance of the war’s first year.