GETTY Experts have declared that Alaska is now within reach of North Korean missiles

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The US Ambassador to the UN has warned North Korea's actions are “quickly closing off the possibility of a diplomatic solution” and the US was prepared to defend itself and its allies. Nikki Haley said: “One of our capabilities lies with our military forces, and we will use them, but we prefer not to have to go in that direction. “North Korea’s launch of an ICBM is a clear and sharp military escalation.”

It follows harrowing analysis that claims a missile launched from North Korea could hit Alaska if positioned at “a standard angle”. Senator Dan Sullivan said: “Today, Alaskans awoke to disturbing news that North Korea tested a missile that some experts say may be able to reach Alaska in the near future. “Now more than ever, it’s imperative for Alaskans and the rest of the nation that we be prepared.”

North Korea v USA explosive latest pictures Wed, September 20, 2017 Images depict how tensions have escalated between North Korea and the United States. Kim Jong-Un boasted of North Korea's ability to strike any target in the US after a second ICBM test that weapons experts said could even bring New York into range - in a potent challenge to President Donald Trump Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 45 North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Hwasong-14 being lauched at an undisclosed place in North Korea

Professor Bruce Bechtol, US scientist, said: “This missile just proved it could travel around 4,100 miles—meaning it could hit all of Alaska.” Legislation was introduced in May aimed at improving the capability and capacity of US homeland missile defence in response to North Korean aggression. The Pentagon has a total of 36 missile interceptors in underground silos on military bases in Alaska and California, and is expected to increase that to 44 by the end of the year.

Senator Brian Schatz said: “This bill will help improve our ability to defend Hawaii, Alaska, and the US mainland against a North Korean ballistic missile threat.” If the proposed bill is passed it would mean an extra 28 ground–based interceptors which would place 14 in Alaska. An interceptor works by moving towards a target based on tracking data and aims to destroy it by force of impact, hopefully stopping the nuclear threat.

GETTY Speaking at the UN Haley said diplomatic solutions had failed

GETTY The Hawaiian representative claimed the Government had let Hawaii down