A delegation from North Korea, led by the minister for international trade, Yun Jong Ho, has embarked on a visit to Iran. This visit is occurring amidst long-standing suspicions of covert military ties between the two nations. According to a report by Reuters on Wednesday, Yun Jong Ho led a delegation that departed from Pyongyang by air on Tuesday. The North’s KCNA news agency has not provided further details regarding the visit. Both North Korea and Iran have been closely scrutinized for potentially collaborating on ballistic missile programs, including the sharing of technical expertise and production components. In February, Reuters reported that Iran had supplied Russia with a substantial number of ballistic missiles for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. North Korea is also suspected of providing Russia with missiles and artillery, despite denials from both countries. Yun Jong Ho, who has a background in working on North Korea’s relations with Syria, has been actively involved in the country’s expanding exchanges with Russia, leading a delegation to Moscow earlier this month. This visit takes place during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East. Earlier this month, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Iran following an unprecedented attack on Israel. Iran’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capabilities, particularly the Shahed variant, were implicated in the attack. Shortly after, Israel launched a targeted airstrike near an Iranian military airbase in retaliation for an earlier attack. Despite this, Iran has assured there will be no further retaliatory measures, contributing to the stabilization of oil prices that had surged above $90 a barrel. Amidst these tensions, China has affirmed its support for Iran, signaling a continuation of strong bilateral ties. China’s top diplomat expressed readiness to collaborate with Iran across various sectors, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
North Korean Delegation Visits Iran Amid Suspected Military Collaborations
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