4 U.S. Allies Upset by Hard Line on Iran

Europeans at the Western economic summit reacted with alarm today to tough talk by President Reagan and his aides about Iranian attacks on Persian Gulf shipping.

Britain, France, Italy and West Germany firmly opposed any preemptive American strike against Chinese-made Silkworm missiles if they are deployed by Iran.

European officials did not draw any direct parallel with the U.S. strike against Libya in April, 1986, but said the consequences could be similar.

“The Iranians could easily take European hostages in revenge,” a British summit delegation spokesman said. A French official noted that France has “its own problems” with Iran.

Like the United States, Britain and France have nationals held hostage in Lebanon by Iranian-backed radicals.

‘Usually the Attitude’

Britain and Iran have also just engaged in retaliatory expulsions of diplomats.

White House Chief of Staff Howard H. Baker Jr. was asked today whether the United States is concerned that Europeans might take the attitude of “let Uncle Sam do it,” even though Europe and Japan get the bulk of their oil through the Persian Gulf and the United States does not.

He responded that is “usually the attitude around the world. Just because others won’t help doesn’t mean we ought to abandon our commitment.”

Baker had said Sunday that Iran would “run the risk of retaliation” if it deployed the Silkworm missiles.

Presidential national security adviser Frank C. Carlucci had similarly warned Iran of the consequences if it attacked U.S. warships or the tankers they are protecting.

Reagan Denies ‘Bluff’

President Reagan joined in today, denying that there is any “bluff” about the warnings.

The British, French and Italians--Europe’s naval powers--have resisted joining the United States in having their warships escort tankers in the gulf.

“We are not the Marines,” Italian caretaker Prime Minister Amintore Fanfani told reporters.

Italian spokesmen at the same time conceded that Italy has so far not been asked by Washington about joining any allied gulf tanker escort undertaking.

French and British officials said their governments are not opposed as such to having a naval presence in the gulf--but not in an escort capacity.

“We must be prudent,” a French spokesman said. “Warships should not escort tankers but remain at a distance.”