The tests, conducted on Thursday, evaluated the performance of a “special mission” warhead for a tactical ballistic missile, an upgraded multiple rocket launch system and extended-range shells for a self-propelled gun-howitzer, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

KCNA said Kim described the results as evidence of technological progress aimed at transforming North Korea’s firepower posture along the southern border, indicating that the systems are intended to target strategic facilities in South Korea, including airfields, ports and U.S. military installations.

Kim said North Korea’s self-defense strategy requires strengthening “the deadly and destructive offensive posture to make no enemy dare to confront,” adding that maintaining constant uncertainty and fear among adversaries is a key element of the country’s deterrence policy, KCNA reported.

The state news agency said the newly tested special mission warhead is designed to inflict significant damage on critical enemy infrastructure, including airfields, ports and power facilities.

The latest weapons demonstrations came only days after North Korea commissioned the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton destroyer that Kim has described as a symbol of the country’s expanding naval and nuclear capabilities. The vessel is regarded as North Korea’s most advanced warship to date.

Pyongyang has accelerated the development of its strategic and conventional weapons since negotiations with the United States collapsed in 2019. North Korea has maintained that any future dialogue would require Washington to abandon its demand for denuclearization as a precondition for talks.

Kim has also adopted a more confrontational stance toward South Korea, designating it as North Korea’s “principal enemy” and reinforcing military infrastructure along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border.

North Korea has simultaneously expanded its diplomatic engagement with Russia through support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, while also strengthening ties with China. Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang for his first summit with Kim in seven years.

The talks, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, marked the opening phase of a 60-day diplomatic process designed to translate a recently signed memorandum of understanding into a broader settlement covering regional security, maritime navigation and Iran’s nuclear program.

Mediators said the parties agreed to establish a “de-confliction cell” involving Lebanese authorities to monitor and support the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. The mechanism is intended to reduce the risk of renewed military escalation in Lebanon, where hostilities have continued despite previous truce efforts.

Pakistan and Qatar described the discussions as constructive and confirmed that lower-level technical negotiations would continue throughout the week in Switzerland.

The negotiations faced an uncertain start after Trump publicly warned Iran against supporting Hezbollah operations in Lebanon and threatened renewed military action against Tehran.

“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble,” Trump said in comments that prompted a sharp response from Iranian officials.

Iranian negotiators temporarily suspended participation and consulted with Qatari mediators before returning to the talks, according to officials familiar with the discussions. Mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan helped keep negotiations on track.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later praised the diplomatic efforts, describing the newly established Lebanon coordination mechanism as the first major test of the broader agreement.

The talks brought together U.S. Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Araghchi.

According to officials involved in the negotiations, discussions focused on maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, enforcing the Lebanon ceasefire and laying groundwork for future negotiations on Iran’s nuclear activities.

The status of the Strait of Hormuz remained a contentious issue. Iran maintained that it had reimposed restrictions on passage through the strategic waterway over the weekend, while U.S. officials insisted commercial shipping traffic continued.

The narrow channel carries a significant share of global oil exports, making its security a major concern for energy markets and governments worldwide.

The broader agreement between Washington and Tehran includes provisions allowing Iran greater access to oil export markets and frozen overseas assets in exchange for commitments related to regional security and nuclear oversight.

However, differences remain over uranium enrichment. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran would not relinquish what it considers its right to enrich uranium, while U.S. officials continue to seek constraints on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Vance described the negotiations as an opportunity to reshape regional relations and expressed hope that both sides could build on the initial diplomatic progress.

Financial markets have closely monitored the talks. Oil prices fell sharply after the announcement of the initial U.S.-Iran understanding, reflecting expectations that a sustained reduction in regional tensions could ease concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies.

The continuation of technical negotiations this week is expected to determine whether the parties can bridge remaining differences on Lebanon, maritime security and Iran’s nuclear program before senior officials reconvene for the next phase of talks.

Sharif said Pakistan was preparing for an electronic signing within the next 24 hours, followed by technical-level talks expected next week.

The announcement came after weeks of negotiations involving international mediators following intensified fighting between Iran, the United States and Israel that raised fears of a wider regional conflict.

US Central Command said on Friday that it had intercepted several Iranian attack drones targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments.

The conflict, which began on Feb. 28, disrupted oil and natural gas flows from the Arabian Gulf and affected global energy markets. A ceasefire has been in place since April 7.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said terms related to Iran’s nuclear program would be finalized within 60 days after the initial agreement and that the timeline could be extended if needed.

The United States and Israel have expressed concerns that Iran’s nuclear activities could lead to the development of nuclear weapons, while Tehran has maintained that its program is peaceful.

A senior US official said the emerging agreement would begin a process to remove or destroy Iran’s highly enriched uranium, with technical details to be worked out during the 60-day period.

The agreement is also expected to include steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US official. Iran has sought the ability to charge ships for services while they transit the waterway, a proposal criticized by some countries as inconsistent with international law.

Regional officials said the deal could include phased sanctions relief for Iran and the release of frozen assets.

The situation in Lebanon remains unresolved, with Iran insisting that any agreement should include a ceasefire there. Fighting continued in southern Lebanon on Saturday.

Xi’s two-day trip to Pyongyang, his first in seven years, underscored efforts by Beijing and Pyongyang to revitalize a traditional alliance that has faced new challenges amid North Korea’s growing ties with Russia and shifting regional geopolitical dynamics.

During a summit on Monday, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation in areas including trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to Chinese and North Korean state media. Kim, in turn, described maintaining ties with China as a top strategic priority for his government.

The visit included a series of highly symbolic events aimed at highlighting historical bonds between the two neighbors. Xi and Kim visited a monument commemorating Chinese soldiers who fought alongside North Korean forces during the 1950-53 Korean War and emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of bilateral cooperation and resistance against foreign pressure.

The two leaders also toured a Workers’ Party training institution and participated in a tree-planting ceremony intended to symbolize the long-term development of relations between their countries.

The summit came less than a year after Xi and Kim met in Beijing and reflected a broader effort by both governments to maintain strategic coordination amid growing uncertainty in Northeast Asia.

State media reports emphasized commitments to expand economic and political cooperation and highlighted North Korea’s support for China’s position on Taiwan under Beijing’s “one-China” policy.

Notably absent from official accounts of the talks was any public discussion of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, a longstanding source of regional tension and a central issue in international diplomacy involving Pyongyang.

The omission has drawn attention among regional analysts. Some experts view the absence of references to denuclearization as a diplomatic advantage for North Korea, which has increasingly sought recognition as a nuclear-armed state while pressing for sanctions relief and greater international acceptance.

Ban Kil Joo, an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul, said the lack of discussion about denuclearization could be interpreted as China leaving room for broader acceptance of North Korea’s current strategic status rather than actively challenging it.

Analysts also see the visit as part of China’s effort to restore its influence over North Korea after Pyongyang deepened military and political cooperation with Russia in recent years. North Korea has strengthened ties with Moscow through support for Russian military efforts and expanded strategic cooperation, raising questions about Beijing’s traditional role as Pyongyang’s primary external partner.

Kim Gyubeom, an analyst at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, said China appears to be pursuing a pragmatic approach that maintains communication and influence without applying significant pressure on North Korea, while prioritizing regional stability.

For Beijing, stronger ties with Pyongyang may also provide additional diplomatic leverage in its broader relationship with the United States. Analysts note that renewed Chinese influence over North Korea could become a factor in future dealings between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly indicated interest in restarting diplomacy with Kim.

The visit highlighted a convergence of interests between Beijing and Pyongyang as both governments navigate an increasingly complex regional environment marked by strategic competition, security concerns and shifting alliances across East Asia.

The report, based on interviews with current and former Israeli intelligence and military officials, said Barnea transformed Mossad from an organization focused primarily on targeted clandestine missions into a central operational arm supporting Israel’s broader confrontation with Iran and its regional allies.

Among the report’s most significant claims were new details regarding the September 2024 killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. According to the newspaper, Lebanese agents recruited by Mossad played a role in gathering intelligence and placing targeting equipment that helped facilitate the Israeli strike that killed Nasrallah and several senior Hezbollah commanders.

The report said some operatives moved through areas recently hit by Israeli bombardment to assess damage and install equipment linked to the operation. It added that Barnea regarded locally recruited agents as among the agency’s most valuable assets and viewed their activities as evidence of a broader shift in how Mossad conducted operations abroad.

The investigation also linked Barnea to intelligence efforts preceding Israel’s military campaign against Iran in 2025. According to Israeli sources cited by the newspaper, officials examined the possibility of supporting Kurdish groups as part of a wider strategy aimed at increasing pressure on Iran’s leadership during the conflict.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli planners envisioned Kurdish forces advancing on the ground with support from Israeli air power. The proposal was ultimately blocked by U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the newspaper, although Israeli officials cited in the report differed on whether opposition originated within the U.S. administration or stemmed partly from concerns raised by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

According to the report, Barnea did not believe military action alone would be sufficient to topple Iran’s leadership but argued that sustained economic, diplomatic and military pressure could gradually weaken the system and create conditions for political change.

The newspaper said Israeli and U.S. officials remain concerned about Iran’s nuclear program, particularly a facility referred to as Pickaxe Mountain, which it described as being buried deeper underground than the Fordow enrichment site targeted during U.S. strikes in 2025. Officials cited by the report expressed concern that the site could provide Iran with a more secure location for sensitive nuclear activities.

The report said Trump opposed deploying American ground forces to seize nuclear material or destroy deeply buried facilities, favoring negotiations aimed at restricting Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

The investigation also revisited plans for a large-scale Mossad operation against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure that were ultimately shelved. According to the newspaper, Israeli leaders concluded in 2024 that the operation carried excessive risks and instead shifted planning toward the aerial campaign launched the following year.

Sources close to Barnea disputed aspects of that assessment, the report said, arguing that Mossad had repeatedly demonstrated an ability to conduct unprecedented operations through local recruits and covert networks operating inside Iran.

The newspaper further reported that some Israeli officials believed recent U.S. intervention to prevent additional Israeli strikes in Beirut reduced pressure on Hezbollah and complicated efforts to secure further concessions from the group. According to those officials, continued military pressure could have strengthened the Lebanese government’s position in discussions over Hezbollah’s future role and possible disarmament.

While sharing concerns about Hezbollah’s recovery, Barnea was reported to be skeptical of maintaining a long-term Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon, arguing that previous such deployments had failed to produce lasting results.

Barnea formally stepped down this week after leading Mossad for five years. Despite publicly opposing the appointment of incoming Mossad chief Roman Gofman during the selection process, the Jerusalem Post reported that Barnea subsequently urged agency personnel to support the new leadership and rejected suggestions of wider internal dissent within the intelligence service.

State media reported that Kim visited the newly unveiled facility on Wednesday, where he reviewed operations and long-term production plans. Photos released by the Korean Central News Agency showed what appeared to be a centrifuge hall used for enriching uranium, a key component in nuclear weapons.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff assessed the site as a uranium enrichment facility and said Seoul was closely coordinating with the United States to monitor North Korean nuclear activities.

Kim said the need to strengthen North Korea’s nuclear deterrent had grown amid what he described as increasing military threats from the United States and its allies. He claimed the country’s production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear materials has more than doubled over the past five years.

The announcement underscores Pyongyang’s continued push to expand and modernize its nuclear arsenal following the collapse of nuclear diplomacy with the United States in 2019. International nuclear watchdog officials have previously reported increased activity at North Korean nuclear facilities.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran had conveyed its concerns to the United States and that diplomatic contacts were continuing, although he declined to provide details of the latest exchanges.

Washington and Tehran have traded proposals since fighting began on Feb. 28, with only one direct round of talks held so far under a fragile ceasefire that has been in effect since April 8.

“As we announced yesterday, our concerns were conveyed to the American side,” Baqaei told reporters during a weekly press briefing, adding that negotiations were proceeding “through the Pakistani mediator.”

Baqaei reiterated Iran’s core demands, including the release of Iranian assets frozen overseas and the removal of longstanding US sanctions, saying Tehran’s negotiating team had consistently defended those conditions.

He also insisted that Iran’s request for war reparations remained justified, describing the conflict as “illegal and baseless.”

Iranian state-linked media reports suggested the latest US proposal sought major concessions from Tehran in exchange for limited relief measures.

According to Fars News Agency, Washington presented a five-point framework that included restricting Iran to a single operational nuclear facility and transferring its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.

The report said the United States had rejected demands to release a substantial share of Iran’s frozen assets and refused compensation for wartime damage. It also said Washington conditioned a full cessation of hostilities on Tehran entering formal peace negotiations.

Separately, Mehr News Agency criticized the US position as seeking concessions unattainable during the conflict itself, warning the demands risked deadlocking negotiations.

Iran’s earlier proposal, submitted last week, called for a complete halt to military operations across the region, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, and demanded an end to a US naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports since April 13.

Tehran also insisted it would maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route that Iran has largely restricted since the outbreak of the conflict.

Baqaei said Iran remained prepared for any renewed military escalation if diplomacy failed.

“I just feel better if I got it, actually, but it’s I think, it’s more for public relations than it is for anything else,” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity when asked about locating and removing Iran’s sensitive nuclear material.

Trump’s comments appeared to soften the urgency surrounding one of Israel’s central war objectives following the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign launched against Iran on Feb. 28.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said the conflict could not be considered finished until Iran’s enriched uranium reserves were removed from the country.

“The war is not over,” Netanyahu said in a recent interview, arguing that the nuclear material “has to be taken out” of Iran.

The remarks highlighted a possible divergence in emphasis between Washington and Tel Aviv as the conflict enters its third month amid mounting regional instability and pressure on global energy markets.

The status of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and uranium stockpiles has remained a major focus of international concern since the outbreak of hostilities, with Western governments and nuclear experts warning that enriched uranium could become a strategic bargaining point in any future settlement.

Trump made the comments while concluding a diplomatic visit to China, where discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping included the Iran conflict, global oil flows and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The ongoing war has disrupted regional shipping routes and contributed to volatility in global crude markets, while diplomatic efforts to contain escalation have intensified among major powers.

The findings suggest that the trajectory of Tehran’s nuclear program has remained broadly unchanged since last summer, despite months of conflict involving the United States and Israel. The war, launched on February 28, has largely targeted conventional military infrastructure, though Israel has struck several nuclear-related facilities.

Analysts say the unchanged timeline reflects both the limited focus of recent U.S. operations on nuclear sites and the continued existence of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Significantly delaying the program would likely require neutralizing or removing this material, they said.Earlier intelligence assessments had concluded that Iran could produce sufficient bomb-grade uranium within three to six months.

Following U.S. strikes last year on key facilities including Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, that estimate was extended to roughly nine to twelve months.The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has said Iran’s existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium could be sufficient for multiple weapons if further processed.

However, inspectors have been unable to verify the location of part of this material after oversight activities were disrupted.A fragile truce agreed on April 7 has paused large-scale hostilities, though tensions remain elevated. The conflict has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil flows, contributing to wider energy market instability.

U.S. officials have consistently said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central objective. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that Washington aims to achieve this through a combination of military pressure and negotiations.Experts say assessing the full impact of military operations on Iran’s nuclear capacity remains difficult.

While physical infrastructure has been damaged, knowledge and technical expertise may persist, and some nuclear material is believed to be stored in hardened underground sites beyond the reach of conventional strikes.Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its program is for civilian purposes.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA assess that Tehran halted an organized weapons development effort in 2003, though concerns remain over its enrichment capabilities and potential breakout capacity.

In a written message read on Iranian state television, Khamenei said Iran’s scientific and military capabilities, including its nuclear and missile programs, formed part of the country’s sovereign identity and would be defended like its territorial integrity.

“Ninety million proud and honorable Iranians inside and outside the country regard all of Iran’s identity-based, spiritual, human, scientific, industrial and technological capacities from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities as national assets,” he said.

He added that Iranians would protect those capabilities “just as they protect the country’s waters, land and airspace.”Khamenei has led Iran since Feb. 28, following an airstrike that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, during the early phase of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.

In his statement, he also sharply criticized the U.S. military presence in the Gulf region, saying the only place Americans belonged in the Arabian Gulf was “at the bottom of its waters.”“By God’s help and power, the bright future of the Arabian Gulf region will be a future without America,” he said, adding that regional prosperity should be determined by neighboring states rather than outside powers.

His comments came as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively under Iranian control following weeks of confrontation, severely disrupting global energy shipments through the strategic waterway that previously handled about one-fifth of world oil supply.

The remarks followed reports that Washington is advancing plans for an international naval coalition to reopen the strait and secure maritime transit after the conflict.According to a U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters, Washington has invited partner countries to join a proposed coalition called the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), aimed at restoring shipping access and building what it described as a post-conflict maritime security framework for the Middle East.

“The MFC constitutes a critical first step in the establishment of a post-conflict maritime security architecture for the Middle East,” the cable said.France, Britain and other allied governments have discussed contributing to such an initiative but indicated they would only participate in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after active hostilities end.

Oil prices have remained volatile amid fears of prolonged disruption to Gulf shipping routes, with energy markets closely watching whether diplomatic efforts can reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran.