The Gulf: Fight to the Finish

The tanker war hits a lull, but Iraq fears a new land offensive

The focus in the 45-month-old war between Iran and Iraq shifted last week from the tepid waters of the Persian Gulf, where the two sides have attacked about a dozen oil tankers since the end of March, to the sweltering marshlands along the southern border between the two belligerents. According to Iraqi estimates, Iran had as many as half a million men poised to launch a new ground offensive at any time. The Iranians have also brought Hawk missiles, armor...

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