The World - News from Dec. 29, 1986

A reputed former CIA agent imprisoned in London said he met with Iranian officials about possible arms deals 10 months earlier than the Reagan Administration has said the contacts began, the London Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported. William Herrmann, arrested in 1985 and convicted on a counterfeiting charge, said the CIA had asked him to arrange a meeting with Iranian officials in October, 1984, to learn if Iran would agree to release American hostages held in Lebanon in return for arms. The Reagan Administration has said it first contacted Iranian officials in August, 1985.