North Korea has voiced support for Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader while strongly condemning what it described as an unlawful military strike by the United States and Israel against Iran.
According to North Korea’s state media on Wednesday, a spokesperson from the country’s foreign ministry said Pyongyang respects Iran’s decision to choose Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who reportedly died during a US-Israeli attack that marked the beginning of the conflict on February 28.
The spokesperson stated that Iran has the sovereign right to determine its leadership, adding that North Korea recognizes and respects the decision made by the Iranian Assembly of Experts to appoint a new leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Pyongyang also criticized the military actions carried out by the United States and Israel, describing them as aggressive and unlawful. The foreign ministry warned that such attacks threaten regional stability and contribute to rising tensions globally.
North Korea further argued that targeting another country’s political structure and territorial sovereignty is unacceptable and should be condemned by the international community.
Earlier, when the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran began nearly two weeks ago, North Korea had already denounced the military operation, calling it reckless behavior in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly supervised another test launch of strategic cruise missiles from the country’s newest and largest naval destroyer, the Choe Hyon. During the exercise, Kim emphasized the importance of strengthening and maintaining a reliable nuclear deterrent.
The latest launch marks the second missile test from the destroyer under Kim’s supervision. Recently, he praised efforts aimed at equipping the country’s navy with nuclear weapons.
For many years, the United States has attempted to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear weapons program. However, Pyongyang insists that maintaining nuclear capabilities is necessary to deter possible threats from South Korea and its allies.
Despite ongoing tensions, the administration of Donald Trump has signaled openness to restarting high-level diplomatic talks with North Korea. Kim Jong Un has also hinted that relations between the two countries could improve if Washington recognizes North Korea as a nuclear power.
