The U.S. says it has theater-based missile-defense systems that will protect it against potential intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) attacks from North Korea or Iran.

Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said the U.S. is confident that the ground-based interceptor systems it has in place in Alaska and California are sufficient to protect it from ICBM threats from Iran and North Korea.

He also cited a recent report by the department as predicting that Iran could develop by 2015 ICBMs capable of hitting the U.S. But Morrell made it clear the U.S. is capable of defending itself against such threats.