"Unfortunately, the chance to create a truly global missile defense system was wasted. This system would not have been based on a specific alliance, but would instead efficiently protect against real missile threats, not imaginary ones. NATO refused to pursue this mostly on ideological grounds," he told Rossiya-24 TV.

Grushko also mentioned a recent missile defense exercise in Europe. The participants were tasked with intercepting a ballistic missile, as well as a number of cruise missiles.

This scenario shows that "the system which is currently under development is not meant to counter the so-called 'nuclear threat from Iran,'" he noted. "Unfortunately, the US is actually developing its missile defense system in an attempt to gain military superiority over Russia."

Youtube/US Navy The US Navy has test-fired its anti-missile defense system in Europe.

A single look at the architecture of the global missile defense system, which includes a European component with bases in Poland and Romania, exposes its true purpose. Especially if NATO's military buildup and the Pentagon's decision to preposition military hardware close to Russia's borders are also taken into account.

Earlier, the Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms control at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mikhail Ulyanov told RIA Novosti that Iran's missile program does not pose a threat to Europe.

Any claims to the contrary are merely a "smokescreen to carry out a project which is essentially aimed at disrupting Russia's nuclear deterrence capabilities." In addition this initiative is aimed at dragging European allies into a long-term confrontation with Russia.

"Evidently, these developments are in the interests of the United States," Ulyanov observed.