Iraqi Jets Again Strike Offshore Iranian Facilities
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi military said its aircraft launched raids Monday night and Tuesday on Iran’s offshore facilities in the Persian Gulf, some reported to be bases for Iranian attacks on vessels using the waterway.
A High Command communique said Farsiyah Island in the northern gulf was hit for the second day running, while planes also raided the Rakash oil field in the southern gulf.
An earlier report said Iraqi jets attacked a holding area Monday night for tankers waiting to load at Iran’s Kharg Island oil export terminal in the northern gulf.
Shipping sources said Iran used Farsiyah Island as a base for gunboats to attack shipping, mostly associated with Kuwait, on the western side of the waterway.
Meanwhile, aviation sources in the region said Iran is making a major effort to revive its air power to counter a U.S. military buildup in the gulf and the Iraqi attacks.
The sources said Iran had earmarked at least $500 million to update technical systems on its 80 serviceable F-4 and F-5 U.S.-made jets and make up to 40 more planes airworthy.
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