The World - News from June 19, 1988

Iran said one of its jet fighters shot down an Iraqi warplane trying to attack tankers in the Persian Gulf, according to Iranian news reports monitored in Cyprus. But Iraq later said its combat aircraft flew 109 missions and that all returned safely. Meanwhile, two U.S. warships began escorting three reflagged Kuwaiti tankers through the gulf in the 40th U.S. Navy escort operation of the year. In Saudi Arabia, U.S. envoy Richard W. Murphy began consultations with Arab leaders on the Middle East peacemaking process and the Iran-Iraq War.