A US armored force came under rocket propelled grenade fire and engaged an Iraqi force east of the city of Najaf, killing between 150 and 300 soldiers, a Pentagon official said.
A US tank was disabled by the grenade fire and two other vehicles of the US Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment were damaged in the firefight, but US forces suffered no casualties, the official said.
Elements of the US Army's 7th Cavalry Regiment engaged the dismounted Iraqis after coming under rocket propelled grenade fire that damaged some US equipment.
"There are reports we have killed quite a few," said the official, who asked not to be identified.
The official said early reports had put the number of Iraqi dead at as high as 500, but he said the estimates have dropped to between 150 and 300.
He said the clash was with "dismounted forces" but it was unclear whether they were regular army or irregulars such as the Fedayeen Saddam.
"They fired first," the official said. "We were engaged."
Details of the fighting that have reached Washington were sketchy. However, the official discounted reports that the engagement may have been the first ground clash with the Republican Guard divisions defending the approaches to Baghdad.
"I don't think this is the start of the battle of Baghdad," the official said.
AFP