Iraq claims grip on key oil points

Iraq reported its forces had overrun the Iranian oil hub of Ahvaz, encircled the refinery city of Abadan, and annihilated an Iranian brigade. Gen. Adnan Khairullah said the brigade was wiped out when it tried to break through the Iraqi encirclement of Abadan. He said Abadan had been devastated and would take years to rebuild. He added that Iraqi troops controlled all roads and outlets linking Abadan with the rest of Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran reported a battle in which it said Iraqi troops were executed by their own commanders for reluctance to fight. It said its forces destroyed a motorized infantry division, killing 550 soldiers, and had halted Iraqi advances at Abadan, which was again being bombarded.