At the same time, the experts found little to praise in the Iraqi defense.

"Bring your car forward," said one of the Iraqi defense forces to journalists trying to enter.

In the meantime, he said, they should begin to sabotage the Iraqi defenses.

The offensive broke through some Iraqi defenses but failed to capture the city.

The attack was the largest of the war and represented an attempt to strike Iraqi defenses a serious blow.

"I would find it very difficult to believe that the Iranians could break through any significant Iraqi defenses."

However, the Iraqi defenses proved to be very inadequate.

The commander, who was not identified for security reasons, said his troops stopped one prong of the attack before it reached the Iraqi defenses.

Iran was unable to penetrate the massive Iraqi defenses.

In some places, like Mosul, the Iraqi defenses have buckled.