According to a report filed by S. Korea’s Yonhap state run news Washington correspondent, a dozen Iranian nuclear scientists were on hand to observe the failed missile launch by N. Korea on Friday, April 13, 2012. The report was filed anonymously.

The report documents the arrival of the nuclear experts affiliated with the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG) in North Korea. North Korea defied the international community and went ahead with the test firing of its new long range missile, the Unha-3, albeit a failed attempt. The missile crashed into the sea shortly after firing.

In a related matter, US President Barak Obama is signaling time is running out regarding diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

The US president was attending the Americas Summit in Colombia where he addressed the media regarding Iran, stating “My belief is that we still have a window in which to resolve this conflict diplomatically. That window is closing and Iran needs to take advantage of it.”

The president did not state that a military action would follow, but rather he spoke of stricter sanctions.

The president also rejected a remark released by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who stated the US gave Iran a “freebie” regarding its nuclear program, permitting to continue its nuclear enrichment program. Mr. Obama stated this simply is not the case.

“Now, the clock is ticking. And I’ve been very clear to Iran and to our negotiating partners that we’re not going to have these talks just drag out in a stalling process but so far, at least, we haven’t given away anything — other than the opportunity for us to negotiate and see if Iran comes to the table in good faith.

“And the notion that somehow we’ve given something away or a ‘freebie’ would indicate that Iran has gotten something. In fact, they’ve got some of the toughest sanctions that they’re going to be facing coming up in just a few months if they don’t take advantage of these talks. I hope they do.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)