MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. The United States and NATO refuse to take into consideration the progress in resolving the crisis over Iran’s nuclear program in deployment of the missile defense shield in Europe, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"We see that in fact while progress in regard to Iran’s nuclear program is becoming clearer, Washington and Brussels try to invent new grounds for their missile defense program," the ministry said.

"This once again confirms that the references to the "Iranian threat" in this case are just a cover while the true goal of creating the anti-missile potential is completely different," the statement reads.

Therefore, the statements that the missile defense shield in Europe is not directed against Russia "look less convincing," the ministry stresses.