Poland has agreed to a preliminary deal to host part of a US ballistic missile system. Poland would host ten ballistic missiles along with a radar site in the Czech Republic. Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security John Rood praised the deal.

John Rood: “This has been a negotiation between close allies and friends, and while there have naturally been ups and downs throughout that entire process, I’ve been gratified that we have — both delegations, that is to say, have — approached this in the spirit of trying to do something that was important for both countries’ securities and as allies and friends.”

The Bush administration says the missile system would protect Europe from Iranian missiles, but it’s widely seen as a first-strike threat against Iran. The deal awaits a vote from the Polish parliament. Polls show majorities in both Poland and the Czech Republic are against hosting the US ballistic missile program.