The United States said Thursday it plans to replace its European missile defence project with a more flexible system following a downgrading of the long-range missile threat posed by Iran. "The previous design was predicated on the belief Iran was determined to develop an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) program," said Pentagon spokesman Geoffrey Morrell.
However recent intelligence reports have shown "that they (Iran) are much more focused on developing short- and medium-range capabilities." Moscow has vehemently opposed the US missile defence system and warned it considered it a direct threat. The Pentagon denied that Russia had anything to do with overhauling the program. "This improvement," said Morrell, "has nothing to do with Russia and everything to do with Iran."