Contamination and Impact

Mines

Iran has been significantly contaminated with mines, primarily as a result of the 1980–1988 conflict with Iraq, affecting particularly the western provinces of Ilam, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, Kurdistan, and West Azerbaijan. The Iranian Minister of Defense, Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, stated in April 2009 that Iran was one of the most contaminated countries in the world;[1] however, no credible estimates exist for the extent of contamination remaining and the socio-economic impact is poorly understood. The extent of contamination in areas bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan is also not known.

Cluster munition remnants and other explosive remnants of war

Significant contamination from explosive remnants of war (ERW) is suspected in Iran, which is believed to contain cluster munition remnants.[2] The precise nature and extent of contamination, though, is not known.

Mine Action Program

Key institutions and operators

Iran has a national mine action authority and national mine action center. The National Mine Action Council (NMAC) was established in 2003 by the government, although its legislative basis is not known. NMAC established the Islamic Republic of Iran Mine Action Center (IRMAC),[3] which has five regional offices (one in each of the five contaminated western provinces)[4] to which it is said to have delegated full authority to implement and coordinate mine action activities.[5] Media reports say the Ministry of Interior decides which areas are cleared and then assigns the task to military engineers.[6]

Land Release

In February 2007, the Minister of Defense reportedly declared that a 40-year timetable for mine clearance was being reduced to five years. He further noted that, “In view of the president’s special attention to this matter, the ministry has given priority to mine clearance operations.”[7] Iran has not, however, reported on its recent land release efforts and it is not known if this reported deadline will be met.

In 2009, Iran’s demining capacity was said to consist primarily of engineer units of the Iranian army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and 50 private companies.[8]

In April 2010, the Iranian Minister of Defense stated that Iran was ready to cooperate with other countries in demining former war zones that still need to be cleared of mines.[9]

Safety of demining personnel

IRMAC reported 158 mine/ERW casualties in five western provinces bordering Iraq during 1389 (the Iranian year running from March 2010 to March 2011). These included 47 deminers of whom 12 were killed and 35 injured. In Ilam province alone, IRMAC reported that four deminers were killed and 20 injured.[10]

A media report from Iran said lack of discipline among deminers, non-adherence to standards, and weak quality control all contributed to Iran’s high level of deminer casualties. The report said there was no risk education for civilians, which also contributed to deaths and casualties.[11]