AFP, The U.S. government said North Korea is developing ballistic missile systems designed to carry nuclear warheads and having them tested in Iran, the Associated Press reported, citing an unidentified Bush administration official.
North Korea is providing technological information to Iran, which is testing the missiles, AP cited the official as saying, without saying how the U.S. had determined the tests are being carried out.
Jane's Defense Weekly reported this week that North Korea is deploying land- and sea-based ballistic missiles possibly derived from Soviet-era weapons that can carry nuclear warheads. Bush administration officials consider North Korea may have the technology for a submarine-based ballistic missile, AP cited the official as saying.
The U.S. is working with Japan, China, South Korea and Russia to negotiate an agreement with North Korea to end its nuclear programs. A fourth round of talks is due to start before the end of September. Three rounds of discussions have so far failed to persuade North Korea to agree to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.
