News In Brief

Iran switches from praise of mining to accusing US

Iran's Foreign Ministry accused the United States and Israel Wednesday of orchestrating a mine-laying campaign in the Red Sea to discredit the Tehran government. This statement contradicted one made Tuesday which praised the ''Islamic Jihad'' group for laying the mines.

At least 13 vessels have been damaged by explosions in the Red Sea in the past month. At the request of Egypt, a US squadron of mine-sweeping helicopters and a support ship will arrive in the Red Sea area within a week.