Iran’s ambassador to the Netherlands and permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Hadi Farajvand, accused the United States of conducting military strikes that damaged a significant number of Iranian chemical industry facilities. Speaking at the 113th session of the OPCW Executive Council held in The Hague, Farajvand reported that 111 petrochemical and pharmaceutical sites were impacted by these operations.

According to Farajvand, 60 petrochemical complexes, 44 pharmaceutical factories, and seven pharmaceutical-related facilities suffered damage as a result of the US attacks. He emphasized that these actions disrupted supply chains and hindered Iran’s ability to fulfill its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention, an international treaty aimed at eliminating chemical weapons and preventing their use.

Farajvand underscored the importance of shielding chemical facilities from armed conflict to safeguard the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention and to ensure the continuation of peaceful chemical activities, which promote international scientific cooperation. He expressed concern that such deliberate strikes raise serious questions about adherence to several provisions of the convention, as well as its fundamental objectives.

In addition, Farajvand reiterated longstanding Iranian concerns regarding US compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, particularly pointing to Washington’s alleged involvement with Israel’s chemical weapons program and US projects involving non-lethal and incapacitating chemical agents. He noted that despite raising these issues for more than twenty years, Iran has yet to receive satisfactory responses or see them adequately addressed.

The 113th session of the OPCW Executive Council began on October 8 and is scheduled to continue through October 9, bringing together member states to discuss ongoing challenges related to chemical weapons and their prohibition worldwide.