North Korea backs Iran’s new supreme leader and condemns US-Israel strikes

North Korea has publicly supported Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader while sharply condemning the military campaign launched by the United States and Israel.

According to state media, Pyongyang said it respects Tehran’s leadership transition following the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes at the beginning of the war on February 28.

The Korean Central News Agency quoted a spokesperson for North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying the country recognises Iran’s right to choose its own leadership.

“Regarding the recent official announcement that the Iranian Assembly of Experts has elected a new leader of the Islamic Revolution, we respect the right and choice of the Iranian people to elect their Supreme Leader,” the spokesperson said.

At the same time, North Korea strongly criticised the military campaign against Iran.

“We express grave concern and strongly condemn the aggression of the United States and Israel, which, by launching an unlawful military attack against Iran, are undermining the foundations of regional peace and security and increasing instability in the international landscape,” the spokesperson said.

The statement also argued that the strikes violate national sovereignty and international norms.

The attacks, the spokesperson said, undermine “the political system and territorial integrity of a country”, which is unacceptable and “must be condemned and rejected by the entire world”.

North Korea had already condemned the start of the war shortly after it began nearly two weeks ago, describing the military action in the Middle East as “gangster-like conduct”.

The comments from Pyongyang came as North Korea simultaneously showcased its own military capabilities.

State media reported that leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a new test of strategic cruise missiles launched from the country’s newest naval destroyer, the Choe Hyon. Photographs released by the government showed Kim observing the launch alongside his daughter, Kim Ju Ae.

During the event, Kim emphasised the importance of strengthening the country’s deterrence capabilities.

He spoke about the strategic priority of “maintaining and expanding a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent”, according to KCNA.

The latest test marks the second time Kim has supervised missile launches from the Choe Hyon destroyer. Just last week, he praised what he described as efforts to arm the navy with nuclear capabilities.

For decades, Washington has pushed for the dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear programme, but Pyongyang has consistently rejected those demands, arguing that nuclear weapons are necessary to deter potential attacks by regional rivals and their allies.

More recently, the Trump administration has signalled openness to resuming high-level talks with North Korea. Kim, for his part, has suggested that relations between the two countries could improve if Washington recognises North Korea as a nuclear power.