North Korea Defends Iran Amid Ongoing Conflict

The North Korean Foreign Ministry expressed outrage on Thursday, standing firmly behind its Iranian allies while labeling Israel as “a cancer-like being… destroying global peace and security.”

Despite being removed from the direct actors in the current Middle East tensions, North Korea claimed that Iran “has exercised its right to lawful sovereignty and self-defense.” They voiced “serious concerns” regarding the ongoing conflict but stopped short of calling for any specific action.

On June 13, the Israeli government initiated “Rising Operation Lion,” a military initiative aimed at Iran, targeting key military leaders and crucial nuclear installations. This operation was framed around claims that Tehran possesses enough fissile material to construct several atomic bombs. Just hours prior, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) denounced Iran for breaching international nuclear regulations, accusing it of uranium enrichment beyond civilian needs and attempting to conceal its nuclear activities from the United Nations.

This year, Iran held five rounds of talks with the United States, aiming for an agreement to limit its nuclear pursuits in exchange for sanctions relief. However, these negotiations made little headway, primarily due to Iranian negotiators rejecting limits on uranium enrichment.

Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of several top Iranian military figures, including Major General Hossein Salami of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with several nuclear scientists. A missile attack following these strikes targeted Israeli civilians, with reported casualties including at least 24 deaths.

The North Korean regime’s statement did not address the harm inflicted on civilians by its allies. Instead, Israel accused them of “state-sponsored terrorism” while justifying its actions as necessary for defense against possible nuclear threats.

“According to the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter, the reckless military attacks on civilians, perpetrated by Israel on a daily basis, constitute a horrifying act,” the statement asserted. “This violates the sovereignty and integrity of a sovereign nation, marking a merciless crime against humanity.”

“The current situation clearly shows that Israel, with unwavering support from the United States and the West, poses a cancerous threat to peace in the Middle East and is a major force undermining global security,” it further stated.

“Those Zionists, responsible for new conflicts in the Middle East, along with the unseen forces backing them, will be fully accountable for the destruction of international peace and security,” concluded the North Korean Foreign Ministry.

While North Korea and Iran have traditionally maintained a strong relationship, Pyongyang has sought to deepen ties with Iranian allies like Russia and China. In April 2024, North Korea dispatched an economic delegation to Iran, marking one of the latest developments in their bilateral interactions.

The North Korean government has also expressed support for Iran’s global terrorism network, particularly following the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in an estimated 1,200 deaths. Victims of Hamas filed lawsuits against both Iran and North Korea in July 2024, alleging the states provided funding and support in anticipation of the October 7 attack.

Both North Korea and Iran seem to completely disregard international regulations regarding nuclear development. North Korea remains largely isolated from international finance and faces stringent sanctions due to its illegal nuclear weapons program.

From 2006 to 2017, North Korea conducted six nuclear tests. A report from the Congressional Research Service indicated that North Korea possesses enough fissile material for up to 90 nuclear warheads. Due to the unresolved conflict stemming from the Korean War, which began in 1950, North Korea technically remains in a state of war with both South Korea and the United States.

Before denouncing Iran, the IAEA had singled out North Korea as a country of significant concern.

“You can’t have a country like this—it’s completely off the charts regarding nuclear weaponry,” warned IAEA’s Chief Rafael Grossi in April. “With such a large nuclear program and numerous facilities, we lack any information regarding safety or security measures in place.”

Since 2009, North Korea has not allowed IAEA inspectors into the country.