Russia: Iran Nuclear Accord Means NATO Missile Defense Unnecessary

The accord with Iran to curb its nuclear program means a planned NATO anti-missile system in Europe, hotly opposed by Moscow, is no longer necessary, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov argued Wednesday.

Moscow fears the system would compromise its own defenses while NATO says the project is meant only to protect Europe from Iranian development of long-range missiles.

The prospect that Iran would also develop a nuclear weapon -- strongly rejected in Tehran -- added to the momentum for the NATO defense system.

Now, if the agreement with Iran "is fully implemented... then there will no reasons to create a missile defense system in Europe," Lavrov said.

Lavrov reiterated that, for Russia, the system is a major problem in relations with NATO, the military alliance set up by Washington to counter the Soviet Union in the Cold War.

Last month, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany agreed an accord with Iran to curb its nuclear program in return for an easing of sanctions.

The initial deal is supposed to lead to a comprehensive accord which would bring Iran's nuclear program back under full international oversight to ensure it is a civilian not military project, with crippling sanctions progressively lifted.