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US 'to cut missile defence plan' US 'to cut missile defence plan'
(41 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 controversial plan would be dropped because Iran's long-range missile programme was less advanced than predicted.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 plan antagonised Russia, who saw it as a direct threat.The plan antagonised Russia, who saw it as a direct threat.
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.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.
European protectionEuropean protection
It was expected to be fully operational by 2012.It was expected to be fully operational by 2012.
It said the European sites were needed to protect European allies or US forces in Europe from Iran or another country.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."
The newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, said the White House would order "a shift towards the development of regional missile defences for the Continent" to combat the threat from Iran's short- and medium-range missiles.
An announcement is expected later by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military staff at a news conference , 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.
Iranian talks
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.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.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.
The Wall Street Journal said the Obama administration "was expected to leave open the option of restarting the Polish and Czech system if Iran makes advances in its long-range missiles in the future."
Russia saw the US missile plan as a direct threat to itself, despite US assurances that it was aimed at "rogue" states, such as Iran.Russia saw the US missile plan as a direct threat to itself, despite US assurances that it was aimed at "rogue" states, such as Iran.
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", President Dmitry Medvedev said at the time.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", President Dmitry Medvedev said at the time.
Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically.Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically.