Iraq denies Iranian claim of major military victory

Iran said its forces recaptured 100 square miles of territory - the biggest operation since the Gulf war started in September 1980. In an exchange of conflicting reports, Iraq acknowledged the attack, but said Iraqi troops thwarted it.

Iranian assault troops liberated a large area in southern Iran, including the Iranian border posts of Subleh, Safariyeh, and Rashidiyeh, which had been occupied by Iraq for more than two years, the Iranian news agency said. Three other posts on the Iraqi side of the border were also overrun, the agency said.

An Iraqi communique said Iraqi forces destroyed the Iranian assault. The offensive, launched Sunday night, coincided with the fourth anniversary of Iran's Islamic revolution.