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US 'to cut missile defence plan' US 'to cut missile defence plan'
(11 minutes later)
The US will abandon its plan to develop a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, according to the Wall Street Journal.The US will abandon its plan to develop a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The newspaper said the plan would be dropped because the threat posed by Iran's long-range missile programme was less than first thought. The newspaper said the controversial plan would be dropped because Iran's long-range missile programme was less advanced than predicted.
President Barack Obama ordered a review of the defence system, introduced by his predecessor George W Bush.President Barack Obama ordered a review of the defence system, introduced by his predecessor George W Bush.
The system was expected to be fully operational by 2012.The system was expected to be fully operational by 2012.
In August 2008 the US signed a deal with Poland to site interceptors in the Baltic Sea and the Czech Republic to build a radar station in its territory. In August 2008 the US signed a deal with Poland to site interceptors in the Baltic Sea, and with the Czech Republic to build a radar station in its territory.
It said the European sites were needed to protect European allies or US forces in Europe from Iran or some other country. European protection
It said the European sites were needed to protect European allies or US forces in Europe from Iran or another country.
However, the Wall Street Journal reported: "The US will base its decision on a determination that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental US and major European capitals, according to current and former US officials."However, the Wall Street Journal reported: "The US will base its decision on a determination that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental US and major European capitals, according to current and former US officials."
An announcement was expected later at a press conference held by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military staff, the Associated Press reported. An announcement is expected later by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military staff at a news conference , the Associated Press reported.
Iran says its missile development programme is solely for scientific, surveillance or defensive purposes but there are concerns in the West and among Iran's neighbours that the rockets could be used to carry nuclear weapons.
As part of long-running efforts to tackle the issue, Iran will hold talks on its nuclear programme on 1 October with the UK, China, France, Russia and the US - the five permanent UN Security Council members - and Germany.
Russia saw the US missile plan as a direct threat to itself.
In November it moved its own ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, between Nato members Lithuania and Poland - to "neutralise - if necessary - the [US] anti-missile system", Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at the time.
Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically.