Iranian opposition group claims killing of senior commander

Rebels say it killed dozens of army soldiers in attacks

An Iranian opposition group said its forces fought heavy clashes with the army in western Iran, leaving dozens dead or wounded, including a senior commander.

An Iranian opposition group said its forces fought heavy clashes with the army in western Iran, leaving dozens dead or wounded, including a senior commander.

The rebel group Mujahedeen Khalq said in a statement yesterday that its forces attacked the headquarters of the Intelligence Directorate in the western city of Ilam then followed with a string of assaults on government forces. Ilam is a province and city bordering Iraq, where the rebels have bases.

The report could not be independently confirmed and there was no official confirmation.

"In several other parts of the city, extensive clashes broke out between the Mujahedeen and the combined forces of the Revolutionary Guards, intelligence and security forces leaving behind dozens ... dead or wounded," said the statement.

A statement issued later in the day said clashes were still going on late yesterday and that the "commander of the Revolutionary Guards strike force was killed along with a number of Guards."

The Iraq-based group has in the past carried out attacks deep inside Iran.

Last month, the group fired mortar shells at a military base belonging to Iran's elite Islamic Republic Guards in the capital, Tehran. Iran's state media confirmed those attacks but said there were no casualties.

The Mujahedeen Khalq seeks the overthrow of Iran's Islamic government.