28 Mar 2024
Tuesday 12 September 2017 - 16:28
Story Code : 275507

What's behind British claims of Russia, Iran helping N Korea in developing nukes



Sputnik News- The reported claims of British officials about the involvement of Iran and Russia in the development of North Koreas nuclear program are groundless, Russian security expert Anton Khlopkov said. According to him, by making such allegations, London is taking advantage of the current "anti-Russian atmosphere."




Talking toSputnik Iran, Khlopkov, director ofthe Energy and Security Center think-tank, said that the British government wants toshed responsibility sinceit has not been actively involved inthe settlement ofthe Korean crisis.

"In such context, London is seeking a guilty party, instead oftaking practical diplomatic steps," he said.

Khlopkov maintained that it wouldnt be surprising if no evidence was found toback upBritish allegations.
"The North Korean nuclear crisis poses a direct threat toRussias security. The allegations made byour British colleagues aboutRussias involvement inPyongyangs nuclear programare surprisingly baseless. London will not provide any evidence. Russia has repeatedly been accused ofbreaching its obligations, butwithout providing any facts and evidence. But taking intoaccount the current anti-Russian atmosphere, people inthe West would easily buy intosuch claims," the expert pointed out.


Earlier, The Sunday Telegraphreported, citing unnamed government sources that British officials believe that Pyongyangs progress indeveloping nuclear weapons may be due tosome sort of "secret" assistance fromIran, while Russia is also inthe spotlight.

The UK is one ofthe signatories tothe Iranian final nuclear deal. On July 14, 2015,Iranand the P5+1 group ofcountries, comprising the US, Russia, China, France and the UK plus Germany, signed theJoint Comprehensive Plan ofAction(JCPOA), ensuring the peaceful nature ofTehran's nuclear program inexchange forsanctions relief. The plan came intoforce onJanuary 16, 2016.

Since the deal was signed, London has been actively helping implement the agreement, citing that Irans nuclear program is ofapeaceful nature. What couldve provoked such a change ofheart?

Khlopkov suggested that the United States is likely involved inthis situation. London does not want toconfront Washington and has toplay a politically-biased game againstIran.
"First, Iran has repeatedly been accused ofexporting nuclear technologies toa foreign country. Iran is a hot topic and such allegations always make headlines. Moreover, it is clear that the US administration is increasingpressure onTehran. This is another misinformation campaign againstIran. But it also a pretext fora new roundof media pressure onRussia. However, Im sure that London doesnt have evidence tothese claims," Khlopkov said.



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