Soviets reaffirm neutrality in Iran-Iraq conflict

Despite a recent chill in Soviet relations with the Islamic regime in Iran, a Communist Party newspaper reaffirmed Kremlin neutrality in the Iran-Iraq war. A Pravda commentary reiterated the publicly expressed Kremlin view that the war is sapping both countries and that it should be resolved through negotiation , Monitor correspondent Ned Temko reports. It remains unclear what effect on Soviet-Iranian relations the recent jailing of top Iranian Communists may have. The Soviet news agency Tass has reported the arrests without comment.

News reports from the Mideast say the Soviets have resumed provision of military spare parts to Iraq. But foreign diplomats here say any such shipments appear to be limited in scale.