US missile defense is against Russia, China, not Iran, Gorbachev says

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) - Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev charged Monday a proposed missile defense system Washington wants to place in eastern Europe is aimed against Russia and China, but not Iran, as the US has been claiming.

"Do you believe that that the whole thing is meant against Iran? That's complete nonsense," Gorbachev said in an interview with the Czech public television aired Monday.

"Iran poses no threat. It is possible to deal with Iran with different means, if necessary," he said.

"The entire system is directed against Russia and China, that's how we understand it," Gorbachev said.