Hatami: Iran Biggest Victim of Landmines

By Staff, Agencies 

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami confirmed that his country is the biggest victim of landmines after eight years of war imposed by the former Ba’thist regime of Iraq in the 1980s, denouncing the supporters of Saddam for refusing to help Iran in demining activities after the war.

Hatami on Monday released a message on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

In parallel, he stated that while the Islamic Republic has always been the flag bearer of peace, stability and calm in the region and the world, it became the biggest victim of mines after eight years of war imposed by the former Iraqi dictator as around 42,000 square kilometers of the Iranian territories were contaminated by 20 million various types of landmines and explosives manufactured by the self-proclaimed advocates of human rights.

Hatami also pointed to the large number of Iranian people victimized by the landmines during and after the war and the huge social, economic and environmental damages inflicted on Iran.

“Unfortunately, the very same countries that assisted the Iraqi government in all fields, including [by providing] various mines during years of war against Iran, have refused to help our country in the post-war years in addressing this problem with different excuses and withheld technological assistance to the peace-loving Iranian people,” the Iranian general added.