The United Nations’ human rights committee has unanimously condemned the “systematic, widespread and grave” human rights abuses in North Korea, citing its reported use of torture, the death penalty for political and religious reasons and numerous political prison camps.

Iran’s United Nations ambassador has called nuclear weapons the greatest threat to present and future generations, days before Tehran resumes talks with six world powers aimed at reining in its suspect nuclear programme.

Iran, North Korea and Syria have blocked a United Nations treaty that would for the first time regulate the multi-billion international arms trade.

Iran dismissed the latest United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme as “annoying flies” and “a used tissue”, after the US and its allies scored a long-sought victory.