Iran receives remains of 85 soldiers lost in Iraq war
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- Iran holds official ceremony in Khorramshahr for 85 soldiers missing since Iran-Iraq War.
- Remains recovered from multiple border regions; DNA testing underway to identify them.
Iran held a formal military ceremony on Monday, February 16, 2026, at Khorramshahr port to receive the remains of 85 soldiers who went missing during the 8-year Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988).
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According to the Mehr news agency, the remains were recently recovered from several border operational areas, including Shahrani, East Tigris, Shalamcheh, and Umm al-Rasas Island. The coffins, draped with Iranian flags, were transported for DNA testing to confirm identities and notify families.
Ongoing search for missing soldiers
The issue of missing soldiers from the Iran-Iraq War remains unresolved since the conflict ended in August 1988. Technical committees from both countries, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross, continue recovery and periodic exchange of remains from areas that witnessed the fiercest border battles.
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The ceremony drew both military and civilian attendees, highlighting the ongoing national effort to honor the war’s missing and bring closure to families after nearly four decades.
