Germany's Sueddeutsche newspaper quoted US diplomatic sources as saying the US government was concerned Iran is developing a satellite program and could therefore probably fire intercontinental missiles.

Analysts quoted by the newspaper speculated that Washington was holding talks with Romania and Bulgaria on bilateral agreements to station missiles in the countries as a NATO-wide agreement would be difficult.

But Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana squashed such speculation.

"There haven't been such discussions, negotiations or requests from Washington," he said.

Defense Minister Ioan Mircea Pascu also said that Romania had not been approached by Washington with any request to station missiles on its territory.

Iran's supposedly civilian nuclear program has recently come under closer international scrutiny, with the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) giving the country until the end of October to produce a detailed list of its nuclear-related equipment, cease uranium enrichment and sign an additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allowing tougher inspections.

In Washington a US State Department spokesman said he had no new information on missile defense discussions, which the Unites States began with allies and other interested countries several years ago.

SPACE.WIRE