The United States and the Czech Republic on July 8 signed an initial agreement to base a U.S. missile shield in Eastern Europe, saying the planned defensive umbrella will help protect U.S. allies from the threat of a bellicose and unpredictable Iran.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the shield is a good deal for the Czech Republic and for Poland, where the United States hopes to place another part of the system.

Russia, however, bitterly opposed the plan, and has threatened to aim its own missiles at any eventual base in Poland or the Czech Republic.