U.S. Convinced Iraqis Are Again Using Poison Gas

WASHINGTON — The State Department said Wednesday that it is convinced that Iraq is using poison gas again in its war against Iran, a serious violation of international law.

The department, confirming allegations made by Iran, said: “Information available to us strongly suggests that Iraq has used chemical weapons in the latest round of fighting. We condemn this, as we have consistently in the past.”

Iran charged Wednesday that Iraq has used a “new type of poisonous gas” against Iranian forces in fighting this month and that 17 Iranian soldiers have died from the unidentified chemical weapon.

Citing international law banning chemical weapons, the State Department said their use “threatens the effort of many decades to ban this kind of warfare.”

Treated in Europe

Iran has flown about 50 soldiers believed to be wounded by chemical weapons to hospitals in seven European cities for treatment, and others have been treated in Tehran.