Pentagon official: Iran will soon be able to attack Europe

Missile Defense Agency head: Teheran could strike US in 5-6 years; urges approval of defense system.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, AP
Obering 224.88 (photo credit: AP)
Obering 224.88
(photo credit: AP)
The head of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said Friday that Iran was not far from attaining the means to use missiles against all of Europe and against the US in five to six years, Israel Radio reported. Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III was speaking in Prague in an effort to convince the Czech Parliament to approve a US missile defense installation in the country's territory. Obering warned against opposing the plan to build a radar base near Prague as part of a missile shield the US says would counter threats from Iran. But Obering said the US would still build its global missile shield - and has a plan B in hand. "There's an urgency to getting the schedule on," Obering said. The Czech Parliament's lower chamber on Wednesday began debating an agreement to give the US the go ahead for construction. The Czech government agreed to the deal but the agreement also must be approved by both houses of Parliament. The vote in the lower house is expected to be close. To pass the bill, the government will need some votes from opposition parties, but they have harshly criticized the plan. A vote will likely take place next year.