North Korea Stages ‘Tactical Nuclear Attack’ Drill

This picture taken on September 2, 2023 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 3, 2023 shows a firing drill for simulated tactical nuclear attack at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
This picture taken on September 2, 2023 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 3, 2023 shows a firing drill for simulated tactical nuclear attack at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
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North Korea Stages ‘Tactical Nuclear Attack’ Drill

This picture taken on September 2, 2023 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 3, 2023 shows a firing drill for simulated tactical nuclear attack at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
This picture taken on September 2, 2023 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 3, 2023 shows a firing drill for simulated tactical nuclear attack at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)

North Korea conducted a simulated "tactical nuclear attack" drill on Saturday that included two long-range cruise missiles, state media reported on Sunday, as leader Kim Jong Un inspected shipbuilding and munitions factories.

The KCNA news agency said the drill was carried out early on Saturday to "warn enemies" that the country would be prepared in case of nuclear war as Pyongyang again vowed to bolster military deterrence against Washington and Seoul.

The two cruise missiles carrying mock nuclear warheads were fired towards the West Sea of the peninsula and flew 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) at a preset altitude of 150 meters.

A separate statement said Kim visited Pukjung Machine Complex, which produces marine engines, and a major munitions factory to stress the importance of strengthening Pyongyang's naval forces.

"He affirmed that a future plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the WPK (Worker's Party of Korea) would set forth an important modernization of the complex and the development direction of the shipbuilding industry," the KCNA statement said.

The statement did not specify the date of his visit.

The latest missile test came just after the joint annual summertime exercises between South Korea and the US, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, came to a close on Thursday after an 11-day run, featuring air drills with B-1B bombers.

North Korea has been stepping up its military deterrence against Washington and Seoul and has criticized last month's summit agreement between the two on improving military cooperations.

A KCNA statement on Aug. 21 said Kim recently visited a navy fleet stationed on the east coast to oversee a test of strategic cruise missiles aboard a warship, and stressed the ship would maintain striking power for combat situations.



US Targets Iranian LPG Magnate with Sanctions, Treasury Says

 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens as President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens as President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
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US Targets Iranian LPG Magnate with Sanctions, Treasury Says

 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens as President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens as President Donald Trump meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

The United States issued new sanctions on Tuesday targeting Iranian liquefied petroleum gas magnate Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh and his corporate network, the Treasury Department said, amid ongoing talks with Tehran on its nuclear program.

Emamjomeh's network is responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets, Treasury said in a statement.

Both products are a major source of revenue for Iran, helping to fund its nuclear and advanced conventional weapons programs, it said, as well as regional proxy groups including Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis and the Palestinian Hamas group.

"Emamjomeh and his network sought to export thousands of shipments of LPG -- including from the United States -- to evade US sanctions and generate revenue for Iran," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the statement.

Iran and the United States agreed on Saturday to begin drawing up a framework for a potential nuclear deal, Iran's foreign minister said, after talks that a US official described as yielding "very good progress."

Top negotiators planned to meet again in Oman on Saturday.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran previously as talks were underway.