Report: Iranian forces kill 8 drug smugglers in a shootout

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's media says its forces have killed eight drug smugglers in a shootout and confiscated some two tons of narcotics.

A Tuesday report by state TV says the clash happened after officers identified a convoy of armed bandits and drug traffickers in southeastern Iran.

Iran lies on a major trafficking route from Afghanistan to Europe and Persian Gulf states. Large drug seizures are common.