Some experts believe that Iran is progressing towards a nuclear weapon with the help of North Korea.
Despite the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015, which was supposed to put a pause on the country’s nuclear development, it has been pointed out that the restrictions concerning delivery systems such as nuclear-capable ballistic missiles have not been clearly defined. Nor has Iran’s transfer of nuclear technology to other countries.
What is most worrying is that there are no restrictions regarding Iran’s military program outside the country. For Iran, North Korea is the ideal place to continue with its nuclear ambitions.
North Korea likely already has a nuclear weapon. As Iran is limited by the nuclear deal it cannot produce its own right now, but it can contribute to North Korea’s nuclear program – financially and with technology. Because of the nuclear deal many economic sanctions were lifted, freeing up huge amounts of funds.
Some experts say this scenario is more than possible, while others believe the collaboration is already happening.
For the past twenty years, numerous North Korean scientists worked in nuclear and ballistic facilities in Iran. Iran has also been the place where North Korean missiles have been test-fired. Also, nuclear experts from Iran attended the North Korean nuclear test site in the 2000s when tests were being carried out.
In 2012, the Iranian Minister of Science and Technology at that time signed a deal with North Korea to set up a formal cooperation agreement. The civilian sphere was central to the agreement – IT, agriculture, food, environment, energy, and so on. However, the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran – Ali Akbar Salehi – ratified the deal. It is safe to presume that the agreement encompasses more than just civilian areas. In fact, the agreement appears to some to be a “mask” for more sinister activities.
With a long series of coincidences in the timeline of events in North Korea’s nuclear program and the nuclear deal, it seems like the United States was unable to achieve the whole purpose of the deal – that is, a halt to Iran’s nuclear activities – not permanently, but while the deal was in place. Not only does the nuclear deal not put an end to the nuclear program of Iran, it actually empowers another country at the same time.
Furthermore, approximately 150 billion dollars was freed up as a result of the deal. This is being used by Iran to fund terrorism and to potentially further its nuclear program and that of North Korea.
It is clear that Iran needs to be monitored more closely because Iran and North Korea separately are a serious threat. But together, the consequences could be catastrophic.
