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North Korea's Latest Missile Test: The Iran Connection
(Defense One) Thomas Karako - Iran is North Korea's frequent partner in missile development and, as in previous long-range missile tests, Iranian engineers were likely on hand to witness the launch, either as potential customers or as part of a more substantial coproduction arrangement. Only last month, the U.S. Treasury Department identified and sanctioned Iranian corporations for contributing to a North Korean 80-ton booster - probably about the size of the rocket launched on Feb. 7. Of particular concern is if North Korea's ICBM-related technologies could help develop a longer-range Iranian missile, including one called Simorgh. Besides missiles, nuclear weapons development and even testing within North Korea could be a basis for a future Iranian nuclear breakout. The writer is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.