North Korean Weapons Fuel Iran’s War Against US and Israel, Experts Warn

The ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel is being significantly bolstered by North Korean missile technology, experts say. According to Bruce Bechtol, a leading authority on Iran-North Korea strategic relations, Tehran has relied on decades of military cooperation with Pyongyang to build a formidable missile arsenal.

Bechtol, a professor of political science at Angelo State University in Texas and co-author of Rogue Allies: The Strategic Partnership Between Iran and North Korea, explained that Iran has acquired and developed multiple missile systems with North Korean assistance.

For example, Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia, approximately 2,500 miles from Iran, in a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict. These missiles, including short-range systems like the QIAM, were reportedly developed with direct North Korean technical assistance.

North Korea has supplied Iran with No Dong missiles, which formed the basis of Iran’s Shahab-3 system. Subsequent cooperation allowed Iran to produce improved missiles, including the Emad (1,750 km range) and Ghadr (1,950 km range), capable of striking Israel and U.S. bases in the region.

Iran has also developed the Khorramshahr-4, a heavy missile capable of carrying warheads weighing between 1.5 to 2 tons, reportedly armed with cluster munitions. This system represents one of the most lethal additions to Iran’s missile inventory.

Bechtol described the Iran-North Korea partnership as straightforward: North Korea sells weapons, technology, engineers, and specialized military expertise, while Iran pays with cash and oil. This collaboration has enabled Iran to establish underground missile facilities and improve its ballistic capabilities, creating a strategic advantage in its war against the U.S. and Israel.

Experts stress that enforcement of existing international sanctions on North Korea is critical to cutting off Iran’s supply of advanced weapons. Bechtol emphasized the need for robust measures, including targeting banks, front companies, and cyber networks that facilitate weapons proliferation.

He also highlighted the Proliferation Security Initiative, a largely underused international framework designed to intercept illicit transfers of arms and components. According to Bechtol, disrupting the supply chain is the only sustainable way to prevent further escalation and contain Iran’s missile program.

The Iran-North Korea alliance underscores the global dimension of the conflict, with ballistic missiles capable of striking targets far beyond Iran’s borders. Analysts warn that as the war continues, the transfer of technology and expertise from Pyongyang could further intensify the conflict in the Middle East, threatening regional stability and U.S. and allied interests.