UN specialists return to Iran for on-site chemical investigations

MEES reported renewed loading at Kharg following attacks on inland pumping facilities. Estimated exports remained roughly half their usual level, showing the vulnerability of the supply chain.

Iran received 500 TOW missiles in a U.S.-organized transaction routed through Israel. The return flight carried 17 HAWK missiles rejected from the November 1985 shipment.

Iran warned Kuwait not to support Iraq as Iranian forces stood near the Iraqi–Kuwaiti frontier. Regional assistance to Baghdad remained a source of confrontation.

Mohsen Kangarlu emphasized Iran’s weapons needs while Oliver North pressed for hostage releases. Their Frankfurt meeting exposed different priorities and ended without a significant agreement.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry criticized Resolution 582 for failing to identify responsibility for aggression and chemical warfare, while welcoming UN cooperation on humanitarian law.

A further 500 TOW missiles were delivered to Iran. Despite the combined February deliveries, no hostages were released immediately afterward, underscoring the channel’s uncertain bargaining results.

At the Conference on Disarmament, Velayati asked whether international institutions could try war criminals and chemical-weapons users if treaty negotiations and verification failed.

UN specialists examined and interviewed patients at Tehran’s Labbafi-Nejad Hospital. Their work included interviews with Iraqi casualties held in Iran, widening the clinical evidence considered.

The UN team surveyed three Abadan-area sites, examined debris and craters, collected soil samples and examined patients at a field hospital and an Ahvaz hospital.

After clinical work in Ahvaz and Tehran, the UN team visited Tehran’s coroner and mortuary to examine bodies and collect material for analysis of alleged chemical exposure.