Bostan is one of the cities of Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran. From the very beginning of the Iran– Iraq War, it came under attack and was occupied by Iraqi forces on September 26, 1980.

For about half a century, Bostan had been the administrative center of Dasht‑e Azadegan County (formerly Dasht‑e Mishan). Because of its palm groves and green plains, the area was known for its fertility and beauty. Old geographical texts also mention the name “ Shomariyeh” for Bostan, which later became “ Bostaeen”, meaning “ gardens”, and in 1935 was officially renamed Bostan.⁠[1]

The city is bordered by Dehloran to the north, Dezful to the east, Susangerd to the southeast, Hoveyzeh to the south, and Iraq to the west. Its major surrounding villages include Majriyeh, Sabaleh, Kharabeh, Ramim, Nadiweh, Fanikhi, Dabieh, and Shomariyeh.⁠[2]

The climate is hot and humid, with vegetation such as tamarisk and cedar trees, medicinal and industrial plants, and grazing pastures.⁠[3]

Bostan is part of the Khuzestan plain and has little elevation, though the sandy hills and low ridges northeast of the city are known as Mishdagh.⁠[4]

According to the 1976 census, Bostan had a population of 6,825.⁠[5]

The people of Bostan belong to tribes such as Bani‑Taraf, Beyt‑Sayyah, Beyt‑Mahadi, Beyt‑Saeed, and Beyt‑Manshad, with Aryan and Semitic origins. Most are Twelver Shia Muslims and speak Persian and Arabic. The local economy is based on agriculture, livestock, handicrafts, and fishing.

In the summer of 1979, Iraqi infiltrators carried out several sabotage operations— including attacks on the Saeediyyeh and Yazd‑e‑Nou border posts, an assault on the Bostan district office, and the bombing of the Bostan bridge— creating fear among the population.⁠[6]

When Iraq invaded Iran on September 22, 1980, Iraqi forces, having already seized border posts, advanced toward Bostan after encountering little resistance at the Chazabeh Pass,⁠[7] a key area six kilometers northwest of the city.⁠[8]

On September 25, the small resistance by locals and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units collapsed. Iraqi troops then attacked Bostan from three directions: Ramim in the west and south, Abu‑Chalach in the north, and the villages of Abiyyat and Shomariyeh in the east.⁠[9]

The Bostan– Susangerd axis is militarily important, serving as one of the best routes for threatening Ahvaz from the western border. The Karkheh River divides this axis into northern and southern sectors, but the sandy terrain makes military movement difficult.⁠[10]

Despite the defenders’ efforts and the destruction of the Bostan Bridge on September 26, Iraqi troops captured the city and advanced toward the Allah-Akbar Hills and the Sabaleh Bridge.⁠[11]

After the occupation of Bostan, scattered fighting continued on September 27 and 28, 1980, in the villages of Abiyyat (4 kilometers east of Bostan), Dafar (4.5 kilometers east of Bostan), and later in Fanikhi and Sabaleh, causing casualties and damage.⁠[12] On October 1, 1980, Iranian forces liberated Bostan and cleared the city and surrounding villages of Iraqi troops.⁠[13]

However, on October 11, Iraq launched a new attack with 150 commandos and Popular Army forces through Hawizeh Marshes and the Saeediyyeh River, attacking Bostan from the south and west. Although repelled, heavy Iraqi shelling forced many remaining civilians to flee toward Susangerd. On October 12, Iraq resumed its advance from the Saeediyyeh River and heavily bombed the Bostan– Susangerd Road.⁠[14]

On October 13, 1980, Iraqi forces bypassed Bostan and entered the city, leading to close‑quarters combat. Despite severe shortages of manpower, weapons, and ammunition, the defenders of the city fought for hours but were eventually forced to withdraw. Consequently, the reoccupation of Bostan began on October 13, 1980, and was completed by 2 PM on October 14.⁠[15]

On October 17 and 18, Iraqi forces advanced to the Sabaleh Bridge and attacked the villages of Abiyyat, Fanikhi, and Sabaleh.⁠[16] On October 23, Iranian airborne troops and Army Aviation helicopters forced Iraqi units to retreat.⁠[17]

During the occupation, Iraq made changes in Bostan city. The Iraqi dinar became the official currency, the municipality building became the Iraqi military headquarters, Iraqi flags were raised over government offices, and Bostan and the Iraqi city of Amara were connected.⁠[18]

Nearly a year later, on November 29, 1981, Iran launched Operation Tariq al‑Quds with the codeword “ Ya Hussain (as) ” in Dasht-e Azadegan. It aimed at liberating Bostan and more than fifty surrounding villages.⁠[19] The northern Karkheh axis was chosen as the main direction of attack. The operation aimed to free Bostan, Susangerd, and its western areas, and to reach the northern bank of the Nisan River and the eastern shores of the Hawizeh Marshes.⁠[20]

Bostan was liberated on November 29, 1981. The successful Operation Tariq al-Quds freed about 650 square kilometers of Iranian territory and paved the way for the liberation of occupied Khorramshahr. Once Bostan, the Allah‑Akbar Hills, and western Susangerd were retaken, Iraq lost its most important supply and communication route in the region.⁠[21]

Following liberation, the reconstruction committee of Kerman Province began rebuilding Bostan and the villages nearby in 1982 and 1983.⁠[22]

According to the 2016 census, Bostan has a population of 8,476.⁠[23]