North Korea sharply criticised Israel’s recent unprovoked military strikes against Iran on Thursday, condemning the attacks as a “crime against humanity” and warning the United States and European nations against escalating tensions in the Middle East.
A spokesperson for North Korea’s foreign ministry expressed “serious concern” over the Israeli attacks, denouncing them as “an unpardonable crime against humanity” due to the killing of civilians. The statement, carried by the state-run KCNA news agency, described Israel’s actions as “illegal state-sponsored terrorism” that risks igniting a full-scale war in the region.
The strikes, launched by Israel last Friday, targeted Iran’s nuclear programme and have triggered six days of escalating missile exchanges between the two countries. Iran reported that Israeli attacks had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, while Israel has confirmed at least 24 deaths and hundreds injured, including civilians.
In recent years, North Korea has strengthened ties with Russia, supporting Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. Russia and Iran also signed a strategic partnership in January to expand military cooperation, and Western nations accuse Iran of supplying Russia with drones and missiles in the ongoing conflict.
US President Donald Trump has increased speculation over possible US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, declaring his patience with Tehran has “run out,” while leaving the door open for negotiations and a possible change in Iran’s leadership. Trump has yet to decide on direct military participation alongside Israel.
North Korea’s foreign ministry warned Trump and Western powers against joining Israel’s campaign, labelling Israel, backed by the US and the West, as “a cancer-like entity” that threatens peace in the Middle East and globally. The statement criticised Western actions for escalating conflict and undermining Iran’s right to self-defence.
“The international community is strictly watching the US and Western forces fanning up the flames of war, taking issue with the legitimate sovereign right and exercise of the right to self-defence of Iran, the victim,” the spokesperson said.
They added that the behaviour of the US and its allies is “pushing the situation in the Middle East to an uncontrollable catastrophic phase.”
