North Korean Missile Tests Observed By Iranians, page 1

US State Department Officials have confirmed that one or more Iranian nationals observed the recent missile tests by North Korea. This confirmation comes amid growing tensions in both the Korean peninsula and the Middle East. North Korea fired a total of seven missiles just over two weeks ago, the tests included one long range Taepodong-2 missile. Iran is said to be developing a series of long range missiles (Shahab 4, 5 and 6) these missile would have ranges in the thousands of miles.

www.msnbc.msn.com
WASHINGTON - One or more Iranians witnessed North Korea’s recent missile tests, deepening U.S. concerns about growing ties between two countries with troubling nuclear capabilities, a top U.S. official said Thursday.

Asked at a U.S. Senate hearing about reports that Iranians witnessed the July 4 tests, Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, the chief U.S. negotiator with Pyongyang, replied: “Yes, that is my understanding” and it is “absolutely correct” that the relationship is worrisome.

But U.S. officials have long said that Iran and North Korea have been collaborating and have expressed serious concerns that cash-strapped Pyongyang was keen to sell missiles and possibly also nuclear material.

“Our understanding is that North Korea has had a number of commercial relations in the Middle East with respect to missiles,” Hill said.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

This latest piece of information again raises concerns and questions over Iran’s missile capabilities and their nuclear intentions. If Iran was developing a peaceful nuclear program why would it simultaneously research and built long range ballistic missiles capable of carrying small nuclear payloads? And this begs the question of just how involved Iran is with North Korea's nuclear program. North Korea has said that is posses several nuclear weapons so it’s only logical to assume that Iran could be interested in those as well.

Related News Links:

abcasiapacific.com
reuters.news .com

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
North Korea Reportedly Launches 4 Missiles
Iran has modified the Sahab-3 to carry nukes – But they only want nukes for peace
U.N. Report Says Iran Has Nuclear Warhead Plans. (moved from ATSNN)

[edit on 20-7-2006 by WestPoint23]

[edit on 20/7/2006 by Mirthful Me]

[edit on 20-7-2006 by DontTreadOnMe]