I Didn’t Make a Mistake, I Won’t Fire Anyone: Reagan : Calls Aides to Discuss Iran Crisis

President Reagan, amid unrelenting criticism of his secret dealings with Iran, asserted today “I didn’t make a mistake” and declared, “I’m not firing anybody.”

Reagan, during an Oval Office ceremony, was asked whether he was happy with his staff. He replied, tight-lipped, “Um hmm.”

When a reporter persisted on the question of whether there would be a staff shake-up, Reagan said, “I’m not commenting either way.”

Asked whether he would follow the advice of Republicans and Democrats alike to say his arms deal with Iran had been a mistake, Reagan said: “I’m not going to lie about that. I didn’t make a mistake.”

The President replied to several questions during a picture-taking session in the Oval Office with Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, the chief minister of the KwaZulu Homeland in South Africa.

Principal Figures Present

Seated on a couch in front of the President were White House chief of staff Donald T. Regan and Secretary of State George P. Shultz, along with Vice President George Bush. National Security Adviser John M. Poindexter sat across from them on another couch. Regan, Shultz and Poindexter all have been targets of criticism in the Iranian affair.

Reagan indicated he was unhappy with widespread press accounts of criticism, back stabbing among his staff and recommendations that he fire someone.

“You wouldn’t like my answer,” Reagan told a reporter who asked his opinion of various accounts.

As criticism of the Iran connection mounted, Reagan summoned top Cabinet officers and foreign policy aides to the White House today to plan future steps the United States should take in the Middle East.

No Changes Hinted

Announcing the meeting, White House spokesman Larry Speakes said he had not heard Reagan “mention anything specifically about any staff changes or Cabinet changes, nor have I heard any senior staff member mention anything.”

Asked if Reagan was satisfied with his senior advisers, Speakes replied: “I have not put that type of question to the President and would not. If the President wants to make any changes, let the President. He hasn’t said anything and I wouldn’t read anything into him saying anything or not saying anything.”

Regan, the White House chief of staff, has been among the targets of Administration critics, and there have been reports he and other Administration officials may be replaced.

‘This Isn’t the Time’

“No, I’m not considering resigning. I serve at the pleasure of the President and when it’s time for me to go we’ll talk about it. But this isn’t the time,” Regan told CBS Radio today.

In the past, Speakes frequently has offered the comment that Reagan has confidence in his staff.

Members of the Cabinet met this afternoon in a session that Speakes said would “focus on current and future U.S. policy (in the Middle East) in the light of recent developments. . . . “