Mössbauer spectra of a series of samples of the weak ferromagnetic ðRu 1Àx Fe x Þ Sr 2 GdCu 2 O 8Àδ system reveal the existence of three dissimilar sites where the Fe atoms can go into the structure. The Mössbauer parameters of the three observed quadrupole doublets, together with the relative population on each site, allow the following site assignment for the iron atoms: Fe 3+ in four-fold planar coordination at Ru sites; Fe 3+ in five-fold pyramidal coordination also at Ru sites and Fe 2+ or Fe 3+ in five-fold coordination at Cu sites. This assignment implies the formation of oxygen-vacancies at the charge reservoir (the RuO 2 planes) that affect the structure and the superconducting and magnetic properties of the undoped system. Moreover, a close correlation between the oxygen content, calculated through the Mössbauer data, and the measured cell volume is established. We also report the Mössbauer spectra of two compounds (SrRu 0.95 Fe 0.05 O 3 and Gd 2 Cu 0.95 Fe 0.05 O 4 ) that could be formed as impurities during the synthesis of our samples.