The United States has abandoned its plan to install a missile shield defense battery in eastern Europe due to the vehement objections raised by Russia, according to Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer, who told journalists at a news conference Thursday in Prague that he received notification about the change in plans by phone.
Fischer said he was told by U.S. President Barack Obama personally this week that he was scrapping plans to install the battery of 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, and a radar system in the Czech Republic. The missile shield was to have served as a defense system against a possible attack launched by Iran.
According to sources in Jerusalem, the U.S. is considering the possibility of deploying a missile defense system in Israel, to serve as a defense against Iran. Israel and the U.S. are set to hold a joint missile defense drill next month.