Iran blamed for rocket attack in Baghdad as Iraq-Kuwait tensions high

NICOSIA — Iran is said to have joined the fray between Iraq and its Gulf neighbors.

Iran has been accused of sending agents to fire rockets in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Iraqi officials said three rockets were fired on residential areas and at least one person was injured.

In London, Iraqi opposition sources said the attack struck a palace of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The sources said the attack comprised the launching of four Katyusha rockets and was carried out by Islamic elements aligned with Teheran.

Iraq has blamed Iran for Sunday's attack, in which 122 mm rockets damaged several houses. The attack was believed to have been in retaliation for previous raids inside Iran by the Iraqi-backed Mujahadeen Khalq.

Iran and Kuwait plan to upgrade security relations amid the tension with Iraq. Baghdad has confronted neighboring Kuwait, accusing the emirate of stealing oil. On Sunday, Kuwait's Cabinet called for international intervention.

"We urge the international community to take serious measures towards threats by the Iraqi regime," the Cabinet said, "and to take all necessary measures to ensure it does not repeat its threats to the security of Kuwait and states in the area in a way to achieve peace and stability in this vital region."

The reference was to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Kuwait has mobilized its forces to confront any Iraqi attack.

"The government and people of Kuwait are capable of dealing with and confronting Iraqi threats," Kuwaiti Defense Minister Salem Al Sabah said.

U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen, on a tour of Asia, warned Saddam that the United States and Britain can quickly respond to any Iraqi attack.

"We have sufficient forces on station," Cohen said. "With predeployed forces we can certainly handle Saddam should he choose to take any kind of aggressive action."

Saudi Arabia has also warned Saddam against launching hostilities. "A military response awaits Iraq if it considers undertaking a new ill-considered action, when its military strength today is only a shadow of what it was," the Saudi daily, Al Bilaad, said.

On Sunday, a Russian aircraft violated United Nations sanctions and arrived in Baghdad's international airport. The flight contained the president and 11 senior executives of the Russian energy company, Stroitransgaz.

The Gulf tension comes as Saddam is being treated for cancer and his eldest son has been hospitalized. Opposition Iraqi sources said Saddam's eldest son was believed to have tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose of sedatives last week.

The sources said Uday Hussein is believed to be suffering from depression amid his inability to father a child and the growing influence of his younger brother, Kusay. Uday has been married three times.

Uday was stopped by his father from becoming speaker of parliament and organizing his own force.