US Missile Defense Systems In Europe Needed To Counter Iran Threat - Official

Faizan Hashmi Published January 17, 2019 | 07:03 AM

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th January, 2019) US missile defense forces positioned in Europe are there to deter threats from rogue states like Iran, a senior US administration official said during a conference call previewing the 2019 Missile Defense Review (MDR).

"Our missile defense capabilities are primarily postured to stay ahead of rogue state threats," the official said on Wednesday. "The forces, for example, that we have positioned in Europe are there to deal with extra-regional threats like those that come from Iran."

The official added that the United States has been transparent, including with Russia and China, about its missile defense posture.

The new MDR will present a new strategy and posture that will set the path to strengthen the United States' current missile defense capabilities and make the case for urgent investment into new ones, the official added.

US President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton, acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and other senior US military officials on Thursday morning at the Pentagon will present the 2019 Missile Defense Review. The previous US missile defense review to be put out was in 2010, the official noted.