Iranian Court Finds U.S. Responsible for Divers’ Massacre in Iran-Iraq War

A Tehran court declared the United States responsible for the killing of Iranian divers during the Iran-Iraq War’s Operation Karbala-4. The court found that U.S. intelligence facilitated the capture and torture of the divers. Testimonies from former captives highlighted inhumane treatment and suffering endured during captivity. The ruling was presented on Martyrs’ Day and emphasizes the consequences of foreign intervention in the conflict.

On Martyrs’ Day, a Tehran court ruled that the United States bears responsibility for the massacre of Iranian divers during the Iran-Iraq War’s Operation Karbala-4. The court, specifically the International Relations Court branch 55, found that the U.S. supplied vital satellite and espionage intelligence to Saddam Hussein’s regime, facilitating the capture and subsequent torture of Iranian commando divers.

The Iran-Iraq War, which lasted eight years following Hussein’s 1980 invasion, included particularly fierce battles during Operation Karbala-4. Captured divers were buried alive by Iraqi forces, their remains discovered in southern Iraq in 2017. The ruling was presented at a ceremony attended by high-ranking officials and families of the deceased divers, highlighting the severity of the case.

Mohsen Jameh Bozorg, a former captive, recounted the inhumane conditions experienced by the captives, such as neglect of medical care in Iraqi hospitals. He noted that some injured divers were denied treatment unless they insulted Iran’s leader, Imam Khomeini, leading to significant suffering.

Another former captive, Motahari, emphasized that despite efforts at secrecy during the operation, U.S. intelligence played a critical role in its outcomes. He praised the divers’ courage in enduring constant enemy assaults while highlighting the strategic disadvantage caused by the intelligence leak. The verdict serves as a solemn reminder of the war’s tragic consequences and the enduring impact of foreign intervention.

The verdict from the Iranian court underscores U.S. involvement in a tragic chapter of the Iran-Iraq War. By providing critical intelligence to Iraqi forces, the U.S. is held accountable for the suffering of Iranian divers captured during Operation Karbala-4. The testimonies from former captives illustrate the horrific conditions and treatment they faced, reinforcing the need for remembrance and acknowledgment of their sacrifices. This decision reflects ongoing tensions and grievances stemming from the war that continue to influence Iran-U.S. relations today.

Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com