The U.S. military is downplaying concerns that Washington may be lowering its threshold for using nuclear weapons. 

According to U.S. news reports, a classified Pentagon review document suggests that non-nuclear countries suspected of building chemical or biological weapons could be targeted. 

Reports say the document also cites the need for developing new, low-yield nuclear weapons. 

Pentagon officials declined Monday to discuss secret details of military contingency planning. They did deny that any country is targeted for a nuclear attack or that new weapons are being planned. And they said the Pentagon is planning for what it calls a broad range of unforeseen threats. 

Again, without discussing details, the officials said this includes nuclear and non-nuclear capabilities, such as missile defense, advanced conventional forces, and better intelligence. 

Russia is seeking a new arms agreement with the United States and says if the the reports of U.S. nuclear plans are true, it would cause regret throughout the international community. 

During a visit to London Monday, Vice President Dick Cheney calls the Pentagon's nuclear option review a routine procedure. 

He said the United States does not target any country with nuclear weapons on a day-to-day basis. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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