RESOLUTION 598 (1987)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 2750th meeting on 20 July 1987 The Security Council, Reaffirming its resolution 582 (1986) Deeply concerned that, despite its calls for a cease-fire, theconflict between Iran and Iraq continues unabated, with further heavyloss of human life and material destruction, Deploring the initiation and continuation of the conflict, Deploring also the bombing of purely civilian population centers,attacks on neutral shipping or civilian aircraft, the violation ofinternational humanitarian law and other laws of armed conflict, and,in particular, the use of chemical weapons contrary to obligationsunder the 1925 Geneva Protocol, Deeply concerned that further escalation and widening of theconflict may take place, Determined to bring to an end all military actions between Iran andIraq, Convinced that a comprehensive, just, honorable and durablesettlement should be achieved between Iran and Iraq, Recalling the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations andin particular the obligation of all member states to settle theirinternational disputes by peaceful means in such a manner thatinternational peace and security and justice are not endangered, Determining that there exists a breach of the peace as regardsthe conflict between Iran and Iraq, Acting under Articles 39 and 40 of the Charter of the UnitedNations, 1. Demands that, as a first step towards a negotiated settlement,Iran and Iraq observe an immediate cease-fire, discontinue allmilitary actions on land, at sea and in the air, and withdraw allforces to the internationally recognized boundaries without delay; 2. Requests the Secretary-General to dispatch a team ofUnited Nations Observers to verify, confirm and supervise the cease-fireand withdrawal and further requests the Secretary-General to make thenecessary arrangements in consultation with the Parties and tosubmit a report thereon to the Security Council; 3. Urges that prisoners of war be released and repatriatedwithout delay after the cessation of active hostilities in accordancewith the Third Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949; 4. Calls upon Iran and Iraq to cooperate with the Secretary-General in implementing this resolution and in mediation effortsto achieve a comprehensive, just and honorable settlement, acceptableto both sides, of all outstanding issues in accordance with theprinciples contained in the Charter of the United Nations; 5. Calls upon all other States to exercise the utmostrestraint and to refrain from any act which may lead to furtherescalation and widening of the conflict and thus to facilitate theimplementation of the present resolution; 6. Requests the Secretary-General to explore, in consultationwith Iran and Iraq, the question of entrusting an impartial bodywith inquiring into responsibility for the conflict and to reportto the Security Council as soon as possible; 7. Recognizes the magnitude of the damage inflicted during theconflict and the need for reconstruction efforts, with appropriateinternational assistance, once the conflict is ended and, in thisregard, requests the Secretary-General to assign a team of expertsto study the question of reconstruction and to report to theSecurity Council; 8. Further requests the Secretary-General to examine inconsultation with Iran and Iraq and with other states of the regionmeasures to enhance the security and stability of the region; 9. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security Councilinformed on the implementation of this resolution; 10. Decides to meet again as necessary to consider furthersteps to insure compliance with this resolution.

Why didIran approve UNSC's Resolution 598?

Tir 27, 1367/July 17 1988

was the date of approving UNSC's resolution 598 by Islamic Republic of Iran.At that timeIran has been experiencing 8 years of imposed war by Iraq and had to underpin the resolution due to national interests and local conditions; thus Iran and Iraq ceased fire.

Although after that Saddam together with con-Iran hypocrites started new range of attacks againstIran's borders, he couldn’t reach his aims and failed.

But now 16 years after cease-fire and invertion of Saddam's regime, the question is why

Iran accepted resolution 598?

This resolution, in fact, was approved by UNSC in 1987, a year before cease-fire, but the members of Security Council was trying to draw up the contexture in a way that later be interpreted in favor ofIraq.

The Islamic Republic, aware of adherence ofUnited States and USSR to Saddam, planned variety of strategies for confronting Iraq which where based on three phases:

First

, prevention of enemy's troops progress toward the borders. With combatants' initiative, Iraqi army couldn't continue, though they had occupied more than 10 thousands kilometers ofIran's lands.Second, guerilla operations onIraq's great munitions, which caused a severe damage for Iraqi army.

Third and last phase

, forcing enemy to withdraw and following them until getting indemnities forIran. In this phase, Iranian forces freed parts of Iraqi border towns including the strategic town Faw.

Now, US andUSSR as well as a number of Arabic countries, sent Iraq considerable munitional and advertising aids. Also, in a meeting in 1984 between Donald Rumsfeld andSaddam, US let Iraq use chemical weapons against progressing Iranian forces. At the same time US and some European countries gave these weapons as well as useful martial information in order to prevent change of war result in favor of Iran.

Anyway, byIraq's constant failures, US entered the battle directly. In 1988, US shot down and Iranian passenger airplane inPersian Gulf which led to killing of 290 people. Then it turned points of its attacks to oil tankers.

Never disapproving conditional cease-fire,Iran tries to enforce UNSC members to implement modification on resolution's sections and could reach some achievements regarding this purpose.