Iraq denies Israeli fighter claims

BAGHDAD, July 11 (UPI) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Defense dispelled rumors Israel was using Iraqi airspace and U.S. military bases to prepare for attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iraqi news network Nahrainnet said sources in the Iraqi Ministry of Defense this week reported Israeli jets entered Iraq through Jordanian airspace and landed amid tight security at U.S. bases in the southern city of Nasiriyah and the al-Asad base in Haditha in western Anbar province.

The report said the Israeli fighters were "probably" conducting test runs to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.

Spokesmen for the Defense Ministry, however, said Friday they had no evidence of such operations being conducted in Iraqi airspace, the Iranian Press TV reported.

"As the Ministry of Defense, we haven't observed any IAF warplanes practicing in Iraqi airspace," said Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammad al-Askari.

The Jerusalem Post Friday carried a statement from the Israeli military describing as "baseless" the allegation that it was conducting exercises in Iraq.