North Korea respects Iran’s choice of new supreme leader, criticizes US and 'Israel'
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North Korea expressed respect for Iran’s selection of a new supreme leader on Wednesday, while accusing the United States and 'Israel' of undermining regional peace.
Support for Iran’s decision
State media agency KCNA quoted an unnamed North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson as saying, “With regard to the recent official announcement that Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected the new leader of the Islamic Revolution, we respect the rights and choice of the Iranian people to elect their supreme leader.”
The Islamic Republic on Sunday named Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father, longtime ruler Ali Khamenei, who died in an 'Israeli' airstrike on February 28. The appointment came despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in influencing Iran’s leadership.
Condemnation of US-'Israeli' actions
North Korea, a longstanding adversary of the United States, has previously denounced the US-'Israeli' attack on Iran as an “illegal act of aggression.” The spokesperson reiterated that position on Wednesday, stating that the United States and 'Israel' “are destroying the regional peace and security foundations and escalating instability worldwide.”
The spokesperson added, “Any rhetorical threats and military action, which violate the political system and territorial integrity of the relevant country, interfere in its internal affairs and openly advocate the attempt to overthrow its social system, deserve worldwide criticism and rejection as they can never be tolerated.”
Context of US-North Korea relations
In recent months, the Trump administration has sought to revive high-level talks with Pyongyang, including a potential summit between the U.S. president and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
After largely ignoring these overtures for months, Kim recently indicated that the two nations could “get along” if Washington recognized Pyongyang’s nuclear status.
