17 Mines Found in Gulf, Pentagon Says

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Monday that 17 mines have been found floating in the Persian Gulf since Dec. 21, and it warned Iraq that it will be held responsible for any actions that endanger U.S. lives and property.

Sixteen of the mines are believed to be of Iraqi origin and the other, which may have been laid before last August, was too deteriorated to indicate its origin, the Pentagon said.

“The President has made it very clear on numerous occasions that Iraq will be held responsible for any actions that place U.S. lives and interests in jeopardy. U.S. forces have the right of self-defense against hostile actions,” it said in a statement.

Defense officials have said that Iraq is apparently laying mines off the shores of occupied Kuwait in an attempt to thwart any landing by U.S. military forces.