A Tehran court ruled the United States responsible for the wrongful deaths of Iranian divers captured during the Iran-Iraq War, citing U.S. intelligence assistance to the Iraqi regime. Survivors recounted brutal treatment leading to many deaths while emphasizing the significance of this ruling on public consciousness.
On Wednesday, a Tehran court formally condemned the United States for its involvement in the killing of Iranian divers during the Iran-Iraq War, coinciding with Martyrs’ Day. The International Relations Court, branch 55, determined that the United States supplied vital satellite and reconnaissance intelligence to Saddam Hussein’s regime. This intelligence directly facilitated the capture, torture, and deaths of Iranian commando divers during Operation Karbala-4.
The Iran-Iraq War, which lasted eight years and began with Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran in 1980, experienced intense violence during this operation. Captured divers were buried alive by Saddam’s forces, with their remains discovered in southern Iraq in 2017. The verdict ceremony involved military officials and families of the martyrs, emphasizing the gravity of the court’s decision.
Mohsen Jameh Bozorg, a former captive, delivered a poignant address detailing the inhumane conditions experienced by Iranian captives. He noted that those hospitalized in Iraq lacked adequate care while being subjected to humiliating treatment, such as being required to insult Imam Khomeini for basic medical aid. Jameh Bozorg observed that 57 out of 1,800 captives lost their lives.
Another former comrade, Motahari, highlighted the challenges of maintaining operational secrecy during Karbala-4. He emphasized the significant impact of the intelligence provided by American satellite capabilities, which ultimately contributed to the failure of the mission. Motahari praised the exceptional bravery of the divers in the face of severe adversities.
The Tehran court’s verdict elucidates the severe implications of foreign intelligence on national conflicts, specifically addressing the U.S. role in the Iran-Iraq War. The harrowing accounts of Iranian captives illustrate the profound suffering endured and the impact of geopolitical strategies on human lives. This ruling underscores the complexity of historical grievances shaped by war and foreign intervention.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com