Geographic Location
Iran and North Korea are two countries located in different parts of the world. Iran is located in the Middle East in the Persian Gulf, while North Korea is located in East Asia, northeast of China and south of Russia. While the two countries are quite far from each other, they have some similarities due to their shared authoritarian governments and nuclear weapons programs.
Distance Between Iran and North Korea
The exact distance between Iran and North Korea is roughly 4,800 miles, or 7,700 kilometers. This is roughly the same distance as flying between New York City and Honolulu. Though this makes them two of the world’s most distant countries, they have been connected historically by a number of factors.
Historical Links
Iran and North Korea have historically connected on a number of issues. During the Cold War, both countries were close allies. During this time, they developed close economic, cultural, and military ties. Iran and North Korea also share a strong hatred for the United States, due to the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis and the 1950-1953 Korean War.
Current Relations
Though North Korea and Iran share a strong hatred for the United States and have been tighter allies in the past, their current relationship is limited. The Iranian government has strongly opposed North Korea’s recent development of nuclear weapons, which has caused tension between the two countries. Additionally, economic sanctions placed on both countries have limited their ability to form strong relationships.
Missile Technology
Despite the tension between Iran and North Korea, the two countries are rumored to be cooperating on missile technology. There have been reports that Iranian missile experts were spotted in North Korea in 2017, however these reports have been denied by both governments. Despite the lack of official confirmation, many experts believe that the two countries are secretly cooperating on nuclear and missile technology.
The Significance Of North Korea-Iran Relations
The relationship between North Korea and Iran has significant implications for global politics. Though the two countries are currently not on close terms, the potential for closer ties could give rise to a hostile alliance between two nuclear powers. Additionally, social and economic exchanges between the two countries could also have a significant impact on both countries, as well as their respective regions.
U.S. Perspective
The United States has a vested interest in the relationship between Iran and North Korea. Given their history of hostility towards the United States, a stronger alliance between the two countries could increase the threat posed by both countries. As a result, the United States has strongly opposed any potential cooperation between the two countries.
Nuclear Weapons
The most significant potential consequence of closer ties between Iran and North Korea is the potential for nuclear weapons. North Korea is already believed to possess a number of nuclear weapons, while Iran’s nuclear program is still under development. Should the two countries cooperate, it could significantly accelerate Iran’s development of nuclear weapons, which could lead to increased nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
Economic Cooperation
Though Iran and North Korea have traditionally been closer on military and political issues, they have also cooperated on economic matters. Both countries have held talks in the past regarding potential economic investments, as well as potential trade agreements. Despite the barriers of economic sanctions, the two countries have explored potential areas for cooperation in the past.
Connections
Though Iran and North Korea are two of the world’s most distant countries, they have managed to establish a number of shared connections. Historically, the two countries were close allies during the Cold War, and they continue to share a strong hatred of the United States. Additionally, they have explored potential areas of economic cooperation and may have even been secretly collaborating on nuclear and missile technology. Though the precise relationship between the two countries remains unclear, the potential implications are significant, given their combined nuclear capabilities.
