(VOVworld)- The US military identified the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran as the leading threats of a future missile attack against the United States. At the annual global missile defense conference held at the Atlantic Council's Center on International Security, James Winnefeld, Vice Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the assessment was based on the fact that both the DPRK and Iran boast nuclear and ballistic missile programs.  Winnefeld warned that if either the DPRK or Iran launches a missile attack against the US, it will be met with an "overwhelming response” from Washington. He said the US missile defense system uses ground-based interceptors that aim to take out incoming missiles. Moreover, the US places an emphasis on regional missile defense, closely cooperating with key partners in different regions.