Arms Deal Was U.S. Idea--Peres

TEL AVIV — Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said today that arms sales to Iran were America’s idea and that Israel became involved only at Washington’s request.

His comment to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), who was visiting Israel, was in line with an effort begun this week to dispel any impression that Israel initiated the operation, which has caused the most severe crisis of the Reagan Administration. President Reagan has said the arms deal was initiated by “a third country.” White House officials said he clearly was referring to Israel.