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Iran troops 'seize Iraq oil well' Iran troops 'seize Iraq oil well'
(about 2 hours later)
Iranian troops have entered southern Iraqi territory and taken control of an oil well, reports say.Iranian troops have entered southern Iraqi territory and taken control of an oil well, reports say.
An Iraqi official played down the incident, saying the area was abandoned and right on a disputed border section.An Iraqi official played down the incident, saying the area was abandoned and right on a disputed border section.
Iranian soldiers crossed the border and raised an Iranian flag over the Fakkah oil field, a US military spokesman told the AFP news agency.Iranian soldiers crossed the border and raised an Iranian flag over the Fakkah oil field, a US military spokesman told the AFP news agency.
But an Iranian oil company spokesman denied the accusation, saying no troops had taken control of any oil well.
"The company denies Iranian soldiers taking control of any oil well inside Iraqi territory," the National Iranian Oil Company spokesman was quoted as saying by Iranian media.
Confirmation
Iraq's Deputy Interior Minister confirmed the Iranians stayed in Iraq and were in control of the well.Iraq's Deputy Interior Minister confirmed the Iranians stayed in Iraq and were in control of the well.
We are awaiting orders from our leader Ahmed Ali al-KhafajiDeputy Interior Minister
Earlier it was reported that they had withdrawn back across the border.Earlier it was reported that they had withdrawn back across the border.
Deputy Interior Minister Ahmed Ali al-Khafaji initially told the Reuters news agency the reports of the Iranian incursion were not true.Deputy Interior Minister Ahmed Ali al-Khafaji initially told the Reuters news agency the reports of the Iranian incursion were not true.
But Mr Khafaji later confirmed the incursion had taken place, and said 11 Iranians had dug-in at the oil well and had not left.But Mr Khafaji later confirmed the incursion had taken place, and said 11 Iranians had dug-in at the oil well and had not left.
"At 3:30 this afternoon, 11 Iranian soldiers infiltrated the Iran-Iraq border and took control of the oil well. They raised the Iranian flag, and they are still there until this moment," he told the Reuters news agency.
He said there had been no military response from Iraqi forces..He said there had been no military response from Iraqi forces..
"We are awaiting orders from our leader," he said."We are awaiting orders from our leader," he said.
The incursion is one of several that have occurred in the last few days, he said.The incursion is one of several that have occurred in the last few days, he said.
The well is about 500m from an Iranian border fort and about 1km from an Iraqi fort, US Colonel Peter Newell told AFP.The well is about 500m from an Iranian border fort and about 1km from an Iraqi fort, US Colonel Peter Newell told AFP.