Movement, against what the Supreme Leader called “common enemies.”
The pact would involve the two countries setting up joint scientific and technological labs; exchanging scientific teams; sharing knowledge about IT, agriculture and the environment; and facilitating student exchanges, Iranian state TV reported. Iranian Labor News Agency also reported that the two governments will collaborate in biotechnology, engineering and renewable energy.
North Korea’s number 2 – Kim Yong-nam, the chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly – visited Iran as part of North Korea’s delegation to attend the NAM summit.
The Supreme Leader told Kim that the two countries had “common enemies,” a reference to the United States. “Arrogant powers don’t tolerate independent governments,” Khamenehi told Kim, adding, “In the march towards great goals, one should be serious, and pressures, sanctions and threats should not cause any crack in [our] determination.”
The new pact is a sign of the two countries drawing closer after decades of efforts by the United States to isolate them from the rest of the world.
The US has accused North Korea of supplying Iran with advanced missiles capable of targeting Western European countries. A UN panel report also concluded that Iran and North Korea appear to have been exchanging ballistic missile components despite UN sanctions.
First Vice President Muhammad Reza Rahimi urged the two countries to further strengthen economic ties..
The latest round cooperation between Iran and North Korea will be viewed by suspicion by the US, which has been attempting to pressure Iran through sanctions and diplomatic pressure to abandon its nuclear program