U.S. deflects missile defense criticism

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A missile defense system deployed in Eastern European countries is the "most effective program" to combat the threat from Iran, the White House said.

U.S. and Polish defense officials met last week in Warsaw to discuss the deployment of a missile defense system. U.S. Defense Department spokesman George Little said Washington welcomes Poland's support for European missile defense, noting Warsaw was the first country to establish a ballistic missile defense agreement with the United States.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said missile defense in Poland was something U.S. President Barack Obama had "pursued aggressively."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this year put new momentum behind the plan after it was scrapped in 2010.

The Kremlin said it was frustrated with U.S. missile plans close to its western border. Washington said the planned deployment is meant as a deterrent to Iranian threats.

"It's based on tested technology and it's the most effective missile defense program in terms of combating the threat from Iran," said Carney. "That would be one issue where some of the criticism was off the mark, to say the least."