Khomeini Halt to Criticism of Arms Deal Told

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini appears to have contained domestic criticism over Iran’s secret arms dealings with the United States, sources say.

Disclosures that envoys of President Reagan met with Iranian officials initially prompted questions from eight members of Iran’s Parliament, who demanded to know which officials were involved and who authorized the talks, the sources said.

The Iran Liberation Movement, a legal opposition group led by former Premier Mehdi Bazargan, also issued a statement Nov. 18, criticizing the secrecy and handling of the American involvement.

The statement said Hashemi Rafsanjani’s position as Parliament speaker did not entitle him to carry out such contacts.

Against National Interest

But Khomeini, in a speech Nov. 20, is reported to have ordered a halt to the criticism in Iran, saying it was against the national interest. His edict stopped most of the protests, the sources said.

“When (Khomeini) said he was in full control, we were not worried anymore,” said Seyyed Jamal Nik-Ravesh, one of the Parliament deputies who demanded an inquiry.

In another development Saturday, Reuters news service quoted Rafsanjani as saying that Iran is ready to continue indirect talks with the United States through international arms dealers. He also said Iran would intercede for the release of American hostages in Lebanon in return for deliveries of weapons bought by Iran but held back by the United States.