An Iranian court deemed the U.S. responsible for the killings of divers during the Iran-Iraq War, following the provision of intelligence to Saddam Hussein. The court found that this information led to the diver’s torture and deaths. Former captives detailed their inhumane treatment, stressing the critical role of U.S. support in the tragedy during Operation Karbala-4.
On Martyrs’ Day, an Iranian court in Tehran issued a verdict holding the United States accountable for the killing of Iranian divers during the Iran-Iraq War. The International Relations Court, branch 55, determined that the U.S. supplied vital satellite and reconnaissance intelligence to Saddam Hussein’s regime, facilitating the capture and subsequent torture of the divers during Operation Karbala-4.
The Iran-Iraq War, which lasted eight years, began with Iraq’s invasion of Iran in 1980 and included intense fighting during Operation Karbala-4. Many captured divers were buried alive with their hands tied, and their remains were discovered in southern Iraq in 2017. The court’s announcement coincides with a remembrance of the fallen divers.
The verdict ceremony featured an address from Mohsen Jameh Bozorg, a former captive who recounted the severe mistreatment of Iranian soldiers, including a lack of medical care and poor conditions in Iraqi hospitals, which contributed to numerous deaths. He stated, “During captivity, some of the injured were taken to hospitals in Iraq…These hospitals lacked proper care, and Iranian captives were often denied even basic treatment.”
Another former captive, Motahari, highlighted the secretive nature of Operation Karbala-4 and the crucial role of American satellite intelligence, which ultimately contributed to the operation’s failure. He acknowledged the courage and strength of the Iranian divers against overwhelming odds during the conflict.
The Iranian court’s ruling emphasizes the significant consequences of foreign military support during the Iran-Iraq War. The painful experiences shared by the former captives underscore the severe human cost of conflict and the controversial role of external powers, such as the U.S. Through this verdict, Iran seeks recognition of the suffering endured by its soldiers and the impact of unwarranted interference in its national affairs.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
