Reduction kinetics and the behaviour of intermediate of three high explosives (HMX, RDX, and TNT) were studies in batch reactors using nano- or micro- size zero valent iron(nZVI or mZVI) as reducing agent. The kinetic constants normalized by the mass of iron ($k_M$) or by the surface area ($k_{SA}$) were measured and compared along with the changes in the concentrations of intermediates. Results showed that $k_M$ and $k_{SA}$ values were not suitable to fully explain the behaviour of mother compounds and reduced intermediates in the batch reactor. The concentrations of initial explosives degradation products, such as nitroso-RDXs, nitroso-HMXs, and hydroxylamino-TNTs, were higher in mZVI treated reactor than in nZVI treated reactor, whereas more reduced polar intermediates such as TAT were accumulated in the nZVI reactor. Therefore, a new parameter, which accounted for the intermediates reduction, needs to be developed.