The White House has said that it still believes North Korea could conduct its seventh nuclear test at any time and reaffirmed the U.S.’ commitment to dialogue without preconditions.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, said the U.S. maintains its belief that the North is ready to conduct another nuclear test.

Kirby reaffirmed that the U.S. is committed to engaging in dialogue with Pyongyang and Washington has offered to sit down with the North without any preconditions, an offer he said still stands.

He also pointed out that the recent string of missile launches has contributed to the U.S.’ consistent concern over the North’s provocations, which prompted Washington to strengthen its intelligence-gathering capabilities around the Korean Peninsula a few months ago.

Saying that such strengthening efforts are why the U.S. is conducting bilateral and trilateral exercises with South Korea and Japan, Kirby reaffirmed the U.S.’ commitment to the defense of the two nations, noting that they are "treaty allies" not just verbally but on paper.