Iran Says It Blocked Attack By Iraq-based Opposition

IRAQ-BASED Iranian opposition forces staged an attack across the border into Iran yesterday, but were driven back by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian news agency IRNA said. IRNA, monitored in Cyprus, said Revolutionary Guards based north of the border town of Qasr-e Shirin drove back the People's Mojahedin, with many killed or captured.

The People's Mojahedin has accused Iran of sending heavily armed Revolutionary Guards into Iraq to attack its bases under cover of the Iraqi rebellion against President Saddam Hussein.

A People's Mojahedin statement sent to Reuters from London said rebel troops captured three Iranian soldiers Sunday with identity cards indicating they were members of Islamic Jihad (or holy war), a pro-Iranian Muslim fundamentalist group in Lebanon.