Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Monday that his country became the biggest victim of landmines after eight years of war imposed by the former Baathist regime of Iraq in the 1980s.
In a message on the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the Iranian DM denounced supporters of dictator Saddam Hussein for refusing to help Iran in demining activities after the war.
“During the eight years of the imposed war with Iraq, an area of about 42,000 square kilometers of Iranian territory were contaminated by 20 million types of mines and explosives made by countries who claim to be supporters of human rights,” Hatami was quoted as saying.
He noted that Iran’s enemies, in the post-war years, refused to help the Islamic Republic to solve this problem and withheld their technological support from the Iranian nation.
“This made Iran the biggest victim of mine,” he added.
“World Mine Awareness Day is a valuable step towards paying redoubled attention to life, health, society, and a safe environment for the carefree life of human society,” he said.
The minister hailed the international occasion, announcing that Iran calls on all countries to work harder and pay more attention to this important issue.
Source: Iranian media
