no you may not relax

The United States said Thursday it plans to replace its European missile defense project with a more flexible system following a downgrading of the “long-range missile threat posed by Iran”. “The previous design was predicated on the belief Iran was determined to develop an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) program,” said Pentagon spokesman Geoffrey Morrell.

However recent intelligence reports have shown “that they (Iran) are much more focused on developing short- and medium-range capabilities.” A senior US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the new system gets away “from the huge radar huge missile shield concept and focuses much more on a versatile adaptive system”.

peter chamberlain analysis:

[This latest move should give Iran great cause for concern. It is not possible that Washington would suddenly throw in the towel, after they have given Iran until the end of the month to negotiate and then Iran announces that any talks will not cover the nuclear issue. The missile shield was never aimed at Iran, it has always been planned to block Russia. Announcing that there will be no shield and tying the decision to do this to Iran (not even linking it to Iranian actions) is a final warning to Iran. Iran understands more than most nations that whatever America publicly says, it means the opposite. If, out-of-the-blue the US reaches-out to Iran, then the Iranians had better head for shelter.]

source: there are no sunglasses