February 18, 2013

Iran involved in North Korean nuclear test?

 
It is unclear what Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi (the "father of Iran's nuclear program") looks like. Is this him?
 -
The following article might be balanced or might be a way for Israel to leverage North Korea's nuclear test to maintain fears of a nuclear Iran. The Jerusalem Post, February 2013 (drawing on a UK Sunday Times article) reports http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=303499 :

'Iranian nuclear chief observed Korean nuke test'

Western officials say Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi is believed to have been in N.Korea for test, 'The Sunday Times' reports [ http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Middle_East/article1215608.ece ].

The alleged father of Iran's nuclear program, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi, is believed to have been present in North Korea last week in order to observe its third nuclear test, Britain's The Sunday Times reported citing Western intelligence sources.

According to the sources, Fakhrizadeh-Mahabadi was responsible for the development of a warhead "small enough to fit on to one of the ballistic missiles developed by Iran from North Korean prototypes," the report stated.

...The report echoes comments made earlier in the week by a security expert that the nuclear test may have also been carried out on behalf of Iran, and in the presence of Iranian atomic scientists.

...It remains unclear whether the North Koreans detonated a plutonium- based nuclear device or one that was based on enriched uranium on Tuesday. The latter option would further suggest increased cooperation with Iran, he added...."

A broader Israeli commentary on Iran's nuclear program is here http://www.debka.com/article/22771/US-plan-for-UN-to-endorse-Khamenei%E2%80%99s-fatwa-Shock-in-Jerusalem
-
Pete

No comments: