Iran, Iraq Pound Each Other Before Limited Bombing Halt

Iran and Iraq pounded each other’s cities and towns Thursday until just before the start of a partial, limited bombing halt announced by Iraq.

Tehran said it would stop reprisal action for Iraqi air force raids on Iran but warned in a statement that it would retaliate powerfully if they resumed.

The Iranian national news agency IRNA said Iraqi jets bombed six towns and cities, including Shiraz, Thursday morning, presumably before the deadline because it did not accuse the Iraqis of violating their moratorium.

IRNA also reported that Iranian long-range artillery hammered several Iraqi cities and towns until just 30 minutes before the Iraqi conditional bombing halt went into effect.

Nine Centers Attacked

It said the bombardment was directed at economic or military installations in nine centers in reprisal for Iraqi attacks on Iranian civilian targets.

Although Iran said it would stop retaliatory strikes following the start of the bombing halt, it described the Iraqi announcement as a deception to allow Iraqi forces to reorganize before renewing their “crimes” at a future date.

Iraq said its moratorium was limited to air raids on Iranian towns and cities, which intensified Jan. 9 after Iran launched a cross-border offensive directed at Iraq’s southern port of Basra.

Iran has said that more than 3,000 civilians have been killed by the Iraqi air and missiles attacks.

Baghdad’s Conditions

Baghdad’s announcement said Iraq would be free of its commitment if Iran shelled residential areas and towns or launched fresh aggression against Iraqi territory.

It also stipulated that Tehran “has to express, within the two weeks’ period . . . a new stand in harmony with international law and the five principles of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Aug. 2, 1986, which called for establishing a comprehensive and lasting peace between the two countries.”

Diplomats said they believe the Iraqi move will meet the same fate as an abortive 1985 initiative by Baghdad because it connects the halt in air raids with a decision by Iran to end the war and refrain from future attacks on Iraqi towns.

Standing Firm on Hussein

They said Iran’s demand for the overthrow of Hussein has not changed. Recent reports indicated that Iran was massing troops for a fresh offensive, they said.

The diplomats also suggested that Iraq’s initiative is partly aimed at strengthening the position of Massoud Rajavi as leader of the main Iranian opposition movement, the Moujahedeen.