Iran forces on verge of major ISIS defeat. Does this mean Iran is winning or losing?

[B45]

Iran forces on verge of major ISIS defeat.

Does this mean Iran is winning or losing?

 

[emsr2d2]

It's actually ambiguous. I feel that they mean that they are on the verge of defeating ISIS. However, it is equally possible that Iran is on the verge of being defeated by ISIS. It's a poorly written sentence from an ambiguity point of view.

 

[MikeNewYork]

My reading is that Iran is winning. If not, the sentence would have been written differently.

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

I agree.

If the headline (because that's what this ungrammatical sentence probably is) had been, 'Iran forces on verge of major ISIS victory', what would that be understood to mean?

The defeat or victory is that of ISIS, not the Iran forces.

 

[Tdol]

I assume Iran is winning, and as it's probably a headline, a certain leeway should be given. It wouldn't work as a sentence.