[Tehran, Iran]  Due to dangerously high levels of lead found in paint and coatings used during the manufacturing process, Iraqi insurgents are being asked to return tens of thousands of Chinese-made rockets, mines, mortar rounds and other weapons that the Iranian government supplied to them since November, 2002. 

In a public radio address on Thursday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad outlined the details of what has become a massive recall, calling upon Jihadis 'throughout the illegally occupied territories' to act responsibly by turning in the recalled ordinance to their local arms dealer as soon as possible.

Lead, in various forms, is usually added to paint as a pigment.  Lead aids in drying, increases durability, and helps fend off moisture that can cause corrosion.  It is also highly toxic.

In 1978, the United States banned residential use of lead-based paint due to its toxic nature and a documented history of health problems linked to its ingestion.  Ingesting lead-based paint can be especially harmful to developing children, causing nervous system damage, reduced IQ, stunted growth, and an array of mental and physical problems.  

Contrary to popular belief, the most common way youngsters consume lead paint is not by deliberately eating it, but by hand-to-mouth transfer after contact with paint dust or chips. 

Chinese manufacturers of some toys and infant bibs have come under fire recently for using prohibitted levels of lead in color pigments on products exported to the U.S.  Recalls of those products by Mattel, Toys R Us and others have been a cause of great concern for American parents.  

Experts say that this danger, coupled with the fondness Iraqi insurgents have for hiding weapons in mosques and grade schools where children could easily come into contact with them, is the likely reason for Iran's recall.

"Our young ones are the future of Jihad."  President Ahmadinejad said.  "Protecting this next generation of martyrs must be a priority."

No Help from China 

China's ambassador to the United Nations, Wang Guangya, said that his government never authorized such a recall, and that the responsibility for sanding the weapons down and repainting them falls squarely on the shoulders of the Iranians.  

"Buyer beware," he said.

Meanwhile, Iraqi insurgents wonder what they will fight infidel invaders with while the cleanup is in process.

"We're back to rocks and bottles," one man said. "It's frustrating.  But, like the Americans, we care about our young.  Children must be able to throw a simple grenade or fire a mortar without being exposed to harmful levels of lead and heavy metals.  It is our duty as parents to be sure of it."

Weapons included in the recall:

• Sang-b missiles - 107 mm
• Bin Cho 6 mortar rounds - 60 mm and 82 mm
• Dak-a hand grenades
• "Tiger" shoulder-fired disposable rockets
• Nearly all anti-personnel and anti-tank mines
• Most rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and launchers