was Afghanistan Mazar Iranian officials say military units deployed near the border with Afghanistan for long-planned exercises have launched a series of nocturnal assaults on mock enemy positions.

The Iranian newsagency said the operation was conducted under the light of flares and with the support of artillery, mortar and missile units.

Although preparations for the large scale manouevres began some weeks ago the main phase was continually postponed as a United Nations envoy tried to promote peace in the region.

Iranian forces gathered on the border after several Iranian diplomats were killed in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif when it was taken by Taleban forces in August.