The Pentagon says it's "very confident" the U.S. could intercept a ballistic missile strike from Iran. This statement comes after a recent Defense Department report warning that Iran could have a missile capable of hitting the U.S. by 2015.

"We are confident that the system we have in place right now, the (ground-based interceptors) that are based in Alaska and California, are sufficient to protect us from such a threat coming in from Iran and North Korea," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said.

Iran has about 1,000 missiles. Each could hit targets as far as 1,200 miles away.

Officials worry that Iran could retaliate against any attack by the U.S. by firing its missiles at American troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The U.S. has 25 long range interceptor missiles in Alaska and California and continues to build up weapons shields in Europe and the Persian Gulf to protect its allies.

The Pentagon is pushing for tougher sanctions against Iran.