Iran and North Korea Jump on the Nuclear Bandwagon

Another task for the Obama administration is to keep an eye on a potential crisis. Two of the infamous Bush-era ‘axis of evil’ countries, North Korea and Iran, have started flexing nuclear muscles.

Despite Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s recent caution to North Korea about following through on a missile launch, the country announced a rocket launch schedule, which analysts say is actually a test launch of its longest range missile. The country used the occasion of the birthday of its leader, Kim–il Jong to announce the move. Clinton had stressed earlier that such an action would be detrimental to improving relations between North Korea, United States and the rest of the world. Reports say that the missile, having a range of 6700 kms, if launched successfully is designed to carry a nuclear warhead which could hit the parts of US territory. According to a report by Reuters, North Korean agencies said, “When this satellite launch proves successful, the nation’s space science and technology will make another giant stride forward in building an economic power.” The launch is expected to take place in a few weeks’ time. Meanwhile, a new understanding between North Korea and Iran has resulted in increased cooperation between the two countries in the nuclear testing field. The North Koreans have been sharing their knowledge with the Iranians after their successful nuclear test in Pyongyang last year, according to a report in London’s The Telegraph newspaper. Today, Iran tested its first nuclear plant using lead rods instead of enriched uranium ones, reports www.cnn.com . The head of Iran’s nuclear agency, Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, observed the test along with journalists and the head of the Russian nuclear agency, Sergei Kiriyenko.