IRAN-IRAQ: CHEMICAL WARFARE CONTINUES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005406120
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: June 23, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2009
• Case Number: F-2009-01245
• Publication Date: November 1, 1986

APPROVED FOR RELEASED
DATE: 25-Sep-2009
t
SW 86-10057('X
NESA 86-10043CX
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Warfare Continues
Iran-Iraq: Chemical
ientific
and Weapons Research, and ffice of
Near Eastern and South Asian Analysis, with
contributions fro Office of
Imagery Analysis. It was coordinated with the
Directorate of Operations, the Arms Control
Intelligence Staff, and the National Intelligence
 The Iraqis have not always used their chemical
weapons with great effectiveness. They have used
them when the wind was blowing toward their own
units and during daylight hours when the Iranians
were more likely to be alert. Moreover, because Iran's
major offensive successes usually have occurred dur-
ing the rainy season, Iraq invariably has had to use its
chemical weapons during unfavorable weather
conditions.)
Some medical
mustard agent (shown by chemical analysis to be 95
percent pure) and tabun were used in the Val Fajr 8
and 9 offensives. IS NF NC oc)
probably has already used chemical weapons, includ-
ing tear gas, mustard, and possibly blood agents, in
limited amounts against the Iraqis. The limited quan-
tities reportedly used suggest that Iran has only a
small stockpile of chemical weapons available and
that it may only have been combat testing its agents
Despite the success of Iraq's initial use of chemical
warfare during battles in 1983 and its gradually
increasing familiarity with using chemical weapons,
the effectiveness of its chemical attacks has been
decreasing. This decrease has resulted from:
? Poor tactical employment.
? The lessened element of surprise.
? Increased Iranian preparedness.
? Possible technical problems with munitions, agents,
and delivery techniques that the Iraqis are only now
beginning to correct.