Unknown snake species.?

A few years ago I was in southern Iraq and was heading to my tent and saw a snake slither away. It was about three feet long, as big around as my thumb and sandy colored. It appeared to be some type of viper. I could see the poison glands in it's cheeks. The interesting thing was that the snake had whiskers. Two whiskers sticking out of each side of it's mouth. Four whiskers total I think (didn't get close enough). Whiskers were an off-white to sand color about three inches long and stuck straight out at 90 degrees from the head. Just like a cat only thicker. I've researched everything I can think of and haven't come across this snake in any picture. Has anyone else seen this snake before? I've been all over the world and I've seen some crazy animals but this thing takes the cake for me. I would like to know how poisonous it was so I can know how close to death I came.