A senior U.S. military commander has warned that North Korea’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) could pose a direct threat to the U.S. mainland and overwhelm its defenses, marking a significant advancement in Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons capabilities.

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command chief Gen. Gregory Guillot stated that North Korea’s Hwasong-19 missile, first tested in October, can potentially deliver a nuclear payload to targets across North America.

He added that the missile’s solid-propellant design greatly shortens launch preparation time, potentially negating the effectiveness of the U.S.’