Iran says its security forces have killed three Kurdish rebels suspected of blowing up a major Iranian pipeline carrying gas to Turkey.

Iranian state-run media said Monday the attack by security forces targeted rebels of the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan. Reports said Iran halted gas exports to Turkey after Friday's attack on the pipeline but restored gas flow the next day.

Last week, Iran said a clash near the Iraqi border between its forces and Kurdish rebels killed two Iranian Revolutionary Guards and 21 rebels.

Fighting between the two sides has surged in recent weeks with an Iranian government offensive against the rebel group.

Iran has claimed a number of successes in the fighting, including the reported capture of bases of the PJAK rebels near the Iraqi border.

Details of the fighting cannot be confirmed as few outside observers can travel to the border region.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has announced it is providing assistance to more than 800 Iraqi Kurds driven from their homes by shelling from Iran.