News In Brief

Kuwait told it won't get US antiaircraft missiles

The Reagan administration has told the government of Kuwait that its request for Stinger antiaircraft missiles will not be granted under present circumstances, administration and congressional sources said Monday.

A State Department official said, ''No decision has been made'' on the Kuwaiti request for missiles to protect its shipping from Iranian air attack in the Persian Gulf. But the sources said the Kuwaitis have been told the administration does not now have any intention of selling the Stinger missiles to any other countries in the Persian Gulf area.

Pentagon spokesman Michael Burch, when asked about the sale last week, suggested that Kuwait could turn to British or French suppliers, indicating the United States would rather not sell the missiles to Kuwait.