The effect of the concentration of nitrite ions, potential, pH and solution stirring on the dissolution rate of iron was studied. Nitrite ions were shown to accelerate active dissolution. The accelerating action of the oxidant depends on the ratio of the rates of electroreduction at the electrode surface and homogenous chemical reduction in the reaction layer adjacent to the electrode. A possible mechanism of oxidant action on the iron dissolution is considered. The electroreduction process is assumed to generate at the iron surface an activated complex accelerating metal dissolution.