International Atomic Energy Agency

Bulgaria said on Wednesday that it is "deeply concerned" by North Korea's announcement of a nuclear test.

If the announcement is confirmed, "a fourth nuclear test would be a drastic violation of resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013) and 2094 (2013) of the UN Security Council and the safeguards agreement with the IAEA," the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The international community on Wednesday condemned North Korea’s statement that it carried out successfully hydrogen bomb test.

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting later due to the reported test.

A ship carrying more than 25,000 pounds (around 11,000 kg) of low-enriched uranium materials left Iran for Russia on Dec. 28 in an Iranian step toward honoring a July 14 nuclear deal with major powers, the United States said. 

Rama said during his visit to Jerusalem on Monday that Albania is ready to collaborate with its ally Israel in order to contribute to the country's security.

The agreement also expressed the willingness to cooperate in the fields of energy, agriculture, water management, tourism and culture.

Iran considered pursuing a nuclear deterrent when it began its nuclear programme in the 1980s, during an eight-year war with Iraq, a former president has been quoted as saying. 

The United States and Europe began preparing to lift the trade sanctions that have hobbled the Iranian economy on Oct. 18, as a historic nuclear deal came into effect.

The procedure to lift the embargo began 90 days after the UN Security Council endorsed the accord signed in Vienna in July, a milestone referred to as "Adoption Day."  

Iran's test of a ballistic missile earlier this week was a clear violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution and sends "a worrying message", French Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said on Oct. 15. 

The head of the UN atomic watchdog was granted access on Sept.20 to a controversial Iranian military site where it is alleged covert research to build a nuclear bomb took place.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker said lawmakers left an August 5 briefing by the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency "less assured" about the nuclear deal with Iran.

Iran's foreign minister moved July 28 to dismiss speculation that his country's nuclear deal with major powers could hit difficulties, saying he had "no concern or worry" about its implementation.