Contaminated by: landmines (extent of contamination unknown), cluster munition remnants (extent of contamination unknown), and other unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Non-signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty

Non-signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions

The extent of contamination from landmines and cluster munition remnants in the Islamic Republic of Iran is not known, and no data on any land release activities was available in 2015. 

Recommendation for action 

• Iran should seek international assistance to develop a functioning mine action program.

Mine Contamination

Iran is contaminated by antipersonnel and antivehicle mines, mainly as a result of the 1980−1988 war with Iraq. Mine contamination is concentrated in five western provinces bordering Iraq, although the true extent of remaining hazards is unknown.

Minister of Defense Hossein Dehghan said in 2014 that the 4,500km² of mine and explosive remnants of war (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 that the war left 4,200km². In February 2014, the Iran Mine Action Center (IRMAC) reported the five Western provinces had remaining contamination that totaled 250km². 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]

Cluster Munition Contamination 

The extent of contamination from cluster munition remnants in Iran is not known. Some contamination is believed to remain from the Iran-Iraq war, when cluster munitions were widely used in Khuzestan and to a lesser extent in Kermanshah. Iraqi forces used mostly French- and Russian-made submunitions in attacks on oil facilities at Abadan and Mah-Shahr, and Spanish munitions in attacks on troop positions at Dasht-e-Azadegan. Air force explosive ordnance disposal teams cleared many unexploded submunitions after attacks but contamination remains around Mah-Shahr and the port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, according to a retired Iranian air force colonel.[3]

Other ERW Contamination 

Other explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue to inflict casualties, particularly as a result of scavenging for scrap metal, though the extent of the problem is not clear. UXO includes grenades, mortar, and artillery shells, and air-dropped bombs.

Program Management

IRMAC is 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 Organisation 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 Organisation 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 April 2016, it was not clear if, to what extent, and when, these changes would materialize and IRMAC’s website was no longer functioning. According to a mine action source, clearance operations were slowing in 2015 due to these uncertainties.[5]

Operators 

Mine clearance in Iran is conducted by the Iranian army.

Land Release 

Iran has not reported publicly on its land release in 2015 or in the two previous years. The hope has been expressed that, with the removal of international sanctions, Iran will have more access to demining assets and materials.[6]

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)[7]

The Monitor gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the Mine Action Review supported and published by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), which conducted mine action research in 2016 and shared it with the Monitor. The Monitor is responsible for the findings presented online and in its print publications.