Obama, McCain differ on Iran missile test

WASHINGTON, July 9 (UPI) -- The two likely major-party U.S. presidential nominees differed Wednesday in their reactions to Iran's ballistic missile test.

Presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the test showed the need for a missile defense shield while his Democratic counterpart, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., called for sanctions and direct negotiations with Iran, The Hill reported Wednesday.

McCain issued a statement pointing to efforts by the Bush administration to establish anti-missile bases in Poland and the Czech Republic, saying the U.S. must avoid "unilateral concessions" by negotiating with Iran.

"Ballistic missile testing, coupled with Iran's continued refusal to cease its nuclear activities, should unite the international community in efforts to counter Iran's dangerous ambitions," McCain said.

Obama, however, said the United States should keep up sanctions and start partaking "in the kind of direct diplomacy that can lead (Iran) to standing down on issues like nuclear weapons," The Hill reported.