UN envoy leaves Iran; Tehran adamant on war

United Nations special envoy Olof Palme left Tehran, Iran, for New York after his third attempt to mediate in the PErsian Gulf war between Iraq and Iran. Mr. Palmer met Iranian leaders, including President Abolhassan Bani- Sadr, who told him that the Iranian position on the war remained unchanged: no negotiations as long as Iraqi forces remained in Iran.

While Iraq had expressed a willingness to negotiate with Iran during Mr. Palme's visit to Baghdad, Western sources say Iraq is building up arms supplies before a new offensive against Iran, expected in the next few weeks. The forecast of a new Iraqi drive was made as the war entered its sixth month, with Iraq reporting the smallest Iranian losses since th e conflict began.