Iran and North Korea could form terrifying alliance with 'secret' intent in WW3 warning
The US launched a devastating attack on three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, but an expert has warned the West to be wary of 'undeclared' nuclear facilities
An expert has raised concerns that Iran might seek North Korea's expertise to build nuclear weapons at a clandestine site unknown to US and Israeli intelligence.
Azriel Bermant, a senior researcher at the Institute of International Relations Prague, cautioned the West about the danger of "undeclared" nuclear facilities. He emphasized the importance of not underestimating Iran's determination to develop nuclear capabilities, potentially out of sight.
Following a severe missile exchange between Iran and Israel, the US targeted three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan on Saturday night. Despite President Donald Trump announcing a ceasefire, there are apprehensions that it may have already been violated.
Bermant remarked: "There is still a lot we don't know at the moment and I think we need to be modest and keep an open mind. The early signs, on the one hand, are that it does look like great damage has been done to Iran's nuclear facilities."
In the wake of the US strikes, Russia has expressed support for Iran. Bermant also noted that Iran could seek assistance from North Korea in developing nuclear weapons. North Korea has managed to establish itself as a nuclear power despite strained relations with the West.
While Mr Bermant assesses the likelihood as remote, he insists we shouldn't dismiss it entirely. He explained: "Look at the allies Iran has. We're looking at Russia, China and North Korea. Russia of course has a strategic cooperation agreement with the Iranians, but Russia has not provided military support during this war.
"We have to remember Russia is of course fighting a war in Ukraine and that is its main focus now.
And in any event, I don't think Russia itself has an interest in helping Iran get a nuclear bomb, which could also be a threat to Russia.
"I think the same applies to China. I think the Chinese have a good relationship with Iran, but the Chinese wouldn't want to help Iranians get a nuclear weapon in my view.
"But the question is the North Koreans, because the North Koreans have worked in cooperation on the development of missiles."
He concluded: "You can't rule out maybe some kind of cooperation with North Korea, but I doubt it, I think it will be very difficult for North Korea."
Delving into the current state of Iran’s nuclear aspirations, Mr Bermant added: "But it would be wrong to say that Iran's nuclear programme has been destroyed, it has been degraded.
"I've read a number of reports, including from experts in the nuclear field, that have said there is a sizable stash Iran may well have hidden away before the strike – some 400 or more kilograms of highly enriched uranium.
"If we assume that this is in fact the case, that doesn't mean that Iran would therefore be in a position to create a nuclear bomb. It would still need to convert the material it has to a metallic form which would be suitable for the core of a nuclear bomb.
"It would need to have facilities to do this. It's possible it has secret, undeclared facilities we don't know about. There was also, I understand, a separate place on the ground near Natanz, which was not destroyed.
"If Iran was to withdraw them from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it could then expel nuclear inspectors from its territory and it would be harder to keep tabs.
"It would be very difficult, in my view, for Iran to secretly develop a nuclear bomb, but not entirely impossible. I think certainly that Iran's ability to do this has been delayed."
