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LANDMINES

Contamination

The Islamic Republic of Iran is contaminated by antivehicle and antipersonnel landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), mainly as a result of the 1980−1988 war with Iraq.

Mine contamination is heavily concentrated in five western provinces bordering Iraq. Minister of Defense Hossein Dehghan said in 2014 that the 4,500km² of mine and ERW contamination left by the Iran-Iraq war in the five western provinces had been reduced to 280km².[1] In contrast, Iran’s mine action authorities have consistently reported the war left 4,200km², while in February 2014, the Iran Mine Action Center (IRMAC) reported the five Western provinces had contamination totaling 250km² (see table below). However, two antivehicle mine incidents in early 2014 confirmed reports of contamination in the Lut desert spanning central and eastern Iran, where police reportedly placed mines as a measure against drug traffickers.[2]

Mine/ERW contamination in five western provinces (km²)[3]

Program Management 

IRMAC was established in 2005, taking the place of a Mine Action Committee in the Ministry of Defense, and made responsible for planning, data, managing survey, and procurement. It also sets standards, provides training for clearance operators, concludes contracts with demining operators (military or private), and ensures monitoring of their operations. It coordinates mine action with the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Interior, the Management and Planning Organization of Iran, and other relevant ministries and organizations, and handles international relations. IRMAC also oversees victim assistance and risk education, but has partly delegated these roles to entities such as the Social Welfare Organization and the Iranian Red Crescent Society.[4]

IRMAC’s future appeared uncertain in 2014 amid debate on institutional reforms. IRMAC’s statement that 99% of contaminated land had been cleared led to proposals to transfer the mandate for the remaining work to the Ministry of Interior. As of the time of drafting of this report, it was not clear if, to what extent, and when, these changes will materialize. According to reports of mine action sources, clearance operations have slowed down due to these uncertainties.[5] 

Land Release 

No data was available on clearance and land release of mined areas in 2014 or the previous year. IRMAC earlier reported (see table below) that Iran had released 41,750km² in the 25 years to 20 March 2013 (end of the Iranian year 1391), averaging 1,670km² a year, but did not indicate how much was mined or battle area. 

Land release in 1988–2013 (km²)[6]

Deminer Safety 

Demining incidents reported by Iranian media in 2014 caused the death of one deminer and injured 17, markedly fewer than in previous years. There were 28 deminer casualties (1 killed, 27 injured) recorded in 2013 and 71 casualties in 2012, when 29 deminers were reportedly killed and 42 injured[7] and deminer casualties surpassed civilian casualties.[8]