Can Iran, Victim of Chemical Weapons, Help Fix the Syria Crisis?

Iran is one of Syria’s few allies, yet its people were also victims of horrific chemical weapons attacks during the 1980-88 war with Iraq. Some analysts suggest that Iran – because of its own history as a victim of chemical attacks – may be key to instigating diplomacy among the warring factions. “Saddam Hussein’s unchecked use of mustard gas, cyanide and other chemical weapons against Iranian front lines left Tehran with both a deep abhorrence of chemical weapons and a deep skepticism of the international community that did nothing to enforce the treaties banning their use,” writes Karl Vick for Time magazine. “The newly sworn President, Hassan Rouhani, campaigned on vows to end Iran’s international isolation, and he has offered conciliatory rhetoric since taking office.” The US insists that the Assad regime used chemical weapons against a neighborhood in Damascus, killing more than 1,000. Russia is skeptical, and the rest of the world, including Iran, awaits the findings of a team of UN investigators. – YaleGlobal