Iraqi raids on Iranian oil sites smash truce

MANAMA, Bahrain A six-week truce in the Persian Gulf tanker warwas shattered Saturday when Iraqi warplanes attacked Iranian offshoreoil installations, setting an Iranian ship ablaze.

Iran, which threatened to retaliate by striking against Kuwaititankers escorted in the gulf by U.S. warships, said the attacks wouldbe met with a "crushing response." Iran regards Kuwait as an ally ofIraq.

An Iranian military spokesman said the presence of U.S. ships inthe gulf was supporting "the creation of crisis" and that the Iraqistrikes "have undoubtedly been carried out in coordination with theUnited States."

In Washington, the State Department responded to the …