Scott Bray, national intelligence manager for East Asia at the Office for the Directorate of National Intelligence (ODNI), said in a statement that the recent test of an intercontinental range ballistic missile “was not a surprise to the intelligence community” but he described it as a “milestone”.

“This test, and its impact on our assessments, highlight the threat that North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs pose to the United States, to our allies in the region, and to the whole world,” he said.

“The intelligence community is closely monitoring the expanding threat from North Korea.”

President Donald Trump, during his visit to Poland earlier this month, vowed to confront Pyongyang “very strongly” to stop its missile advances.