U.S. missile shield vs Iran won't work - study

By Mark Heinrich

VIENNA (Reuters) - A Europe-based missile shield proposed by the United States against a perceived Iranian threat will not work and should be scrapped, according to a think tank study based on a consensus of U.S. and Russian experts.

Dropping the shield, which Moscow strongly opposes, would make it easier for the United States to work with Russia and other big powers to rein in Iran, the New York-based EastWest Institute said.

The study said Iran could develop a basic nuclear device in 1-3 years and a missile-borne nuclear warhead five years after that but there was no proof of such intent and Iran was unlikely to start a nuclear conflict.

Iran, expanding enrichment of uranium despite U.N. resolutions demanding that it stop, says it wants nuclear fuel only for legitimate production of electricity so it can export more of its bountiful oil and gas.

But it has raised international concern by having concealed activity from the U.N. nuclear watchdog in the past, continuing to restrict U.N. inspections and stonewalling an investigation into intelligence allegations of past research into bombmaking.

The EastWest report was the first study of Iran's nuclear and missile potential based on a consensus of U.S. and Russian experts after years of discord between their governments over what to do about Tehran.

Washington has concluded Iran is seeking atomic bombs and poses an immediate threat. The Kremlin says there is no evidence of either. The study's conclusions were presented to top U.S. and Russian foreign policy officials in February.

Former U.S. President George W. Bush conceived the plan for a missile radar and interceptor shield. His successor Barack Obama has said the plan will be pursued pending a review of its costs and technical effectiveness.