The US will shelve its plans for a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

The move will signify a major reversal in policy from the Bush administration, which was adamant on installing the shield in Eastern Europe.

According to the paper, the decision is based on findings that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the US and major European capitals.

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This new development comes after a 60 day review ordered by President Barack Obama, says The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, Russian news agencies are quoting the Czech media as saying the US president has already notified the government of the Eastern European country of this change of plans.

The reports claim the fact of the telephone conversation between Obama and Jan Fischer has been confirmed by Czech officials.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry says it’s waiting for an official confirmation of the reports.
The US anti-missile shield was always strongly opposed by Moscow, which perceived it as a threat to its own security.

It also faced opposition from many of the local residents in both Poland and the Czech Republic.