4
Fifty dead
as Iranian
bloodshed
escalátei. I
c )
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) —
TwO days of political and
religious violence in provin-
cial cities claimed 50 or
more lives in this strife-
torn nation, informed sour-
ces said Friday.
The biggest bloodbath oc-
curred in the southern city
of Shiraz, where orthodox
Moslems battled with mem-
bers of the Bahal religion,
which is linked with Iran's
elite.
The Pentagon reported in
Washington, meanwhile,
that a four-ship US. Navy
task force was engaged In
maneuvers with ships from
Iran, Pakistan and Britain
in the Gulf of Oman, at
Iran's southeast corner.
But officials said the ma-
neuvers were not related to.
the mounting political cam-
paign against Iran's pro-
West ruler, Shah Moham-
mad Reza Pahiavi -
In Paris, Ayatullah
Khomainl, the SMIte Mos-
leni religious leader who is
at the head of the anti-shah -‘
movement, urged his fol ,
lowers to step up their ef
forts to drive the shah from
his throne.
The latest round of
clashes between security % -
forces and demonstrators,
and between pro-and anti-
shah eIv1lIan began last i .
Monday, but Thursday and
yesterday were the bloodi-
est days yet. Deaths were
reported In at least three
cities, bringing the tall for
the week close to the ‘ 0
mailt. ..
In Shires Thursday.
Shilte Moslems attacked a
Pepsi-Cola plant and other - -.
businesses and f
Sect memberS. More
than 40 Shiltes were killed , .
and 50 wounded, informed ‘
sources said.
When the Shiites at-
tacked the homes, Bahal
sect members opened [ ire
with automatic weapons to
protect their property, the
sources said. r
Most Iranians, including ci.
the Shah bin 1, an' Shh-
tea -.
POOO233
