Ceasefire Accepted (Resolution 598) · Qat'nameh-ye 598

Culture of origin: Iranian · Historical

Holiday sources: Iran · Iranian Arab

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 598 unanimously in July 1987, demanding an immediate ceasefire between Iran and Iraq, the return of prisoners of war and withdrawal to the international border. Iraq accepted it within days, but Khomeini rejected it, calling a ceasefire tantamount to treason, and the war went on for another year. Iran finally accepted in July 1988, Khomeini likening it to 'drinking from a poisoned chalice'; the ceasefire took effect on 20 August 1988.