Russian defense officials have rejected U.S. charges that Russia is spreading missile technologies to Iran and North Korea.

The Russian officials also warned the allegation could deeply mar relations. The warning came Thursday after U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in an interview with PBS that Russia is selling and assisting Iran, North Korea, India and other countries with missile technologies.

Rumsfeld said it made no sense for Russia to export missile technologies and then protest U.S. attempts to defend itself against missiles. He was apparently referring to the national missile defense program being pushed by the Bush administration.

He stressed that the proposed missile defense shield would protect the United States only against small-scale attacks, not the massive sort that Russia could launch.

Despite tough talk, Russian officials expressed hope that Moscow and the new administration of President George W. Bush would be able to calmly discuss divisive issues, including nuclear nonproliferation.