Recognizing Iraq as the aggressor of Iraq–Iran war

(18 Azar 1370 /9 December 1991)

At the very last hours of 31 Shahrivar 1359 (22 September 1980), in talks with the representatives of both governments, the united nations’ the Secretary-General suggested them to do their best for solving the matter, but it was a futile effort.

The next day, according to article 99 of the UN charter, the Secretary-General asked the Security Council that for the possible increase of hostility, hold a conference. On that day the conference was held and the first position of council was proclaimed within a Resolution.

On 3 Mehr 1359 (25 September 1980), the Secretary-General informed the Security Council that Iraq-Iran war was still continued and asked for an urgent investigation. This session was held on 26th and 28th September and the first Resolution was approved in the 2248th session of council in 6th Mehr 1359 (28 September 1980), unanimously.

After chartering the Resolution 479,Iraq confirmed it. But in protestation to occupation of some parts of Iran by Iraqi forces, Iran refused the Resolution. Afterwards these Resolutions were chartered: 514, 522, 540, 582, and 588. Finally the Resolution 598 was approbated.

After the acceptance of Resolution 598 byIran, the Secretary-General offered a report to Security Council which ended to proclaiming the Resolution 619.

In (18 Mordad 1367) August 1988, after almost eight years of war, and following a period of intensive negotiations between the Secretary-General and the two Foreign Ministers, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Iraq agreed to a suggestion of the Secretary-General, which combined the coming into force of a ceasefire and the beginning of direct talks between the two Foreign Ministers under the auspices of the Secretary-General. The United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG) was established to verify, confirm and supervise the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of all forces to the internationally recognized boundaries without delay. It was deployed in the region several days before the formal commencement of the ceasefire on20 August 1988.

Resolution 598 addressed the need both for verification and supervision of a ceasefire and for mediation to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries. In pursuance of the latter, on 1 September 1988 the Secretary-General appointed Ambassador Jan Eliasson (Sweden), as his Personal Representative on Issues Pertaining to the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 598.

Finally, after 11 years since the 8-ear-war and 3 years since proclaiming the Resolution 598, and as a result of restless political attempts of Islamic republic,Iran’s legitimacy was proved toward the war to the world society. The Secretary-General in an official report o security council on 18 Azar 1370 claimed that in 31 Shahrivar 1359, Iraq has attacked Iran.

This report and recognizingIraq as the aggressor, was a political victory. During all the years of war, the entire world and especially the UN ignored this fact, though they know it. This defeat longed 8 years. In these 8 years, the western enemies used all every scheme against Iran to make us to surround. But they saw the result when Iraq used their weapons against themselves and engaged thePersian Gulf in a terrible war.