News In Brief

Iraq claims to have downed 3 Iranian jets, 5 warships

At least three Iranian jets were shot down and five warships sunk Saturday in a big air and naval battle between Iran and Iraq in the northern reaches of the Persian Gulf, the Iraqi government radio reported.

An Iraqi military communique broadcast by the radio was monitored in London and in Nicosia, Cyprus, but it did not specify the type of Iranian warships reported sunk. The Iraqis said the three jets shot down were US-made F-14s.

Iran did not report an attack, and Gulf shipping sources could not confirm the Iraqi strike.