Iran-Israel Conflict: North Korea Weighs In
The world watches as North Korea aligns with Iran, condemning Israel’s military operations and ignoring Iran’s missile strikes on Israeli civilians.
At a Glance
- North Korea condemned Israel’s military operation and backed Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
- Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities; Iran retaliated with missile strikes on civilians.
- North Korea labeled Israel’s actions as “state-sponsored terrorism.”
- Western nations’ support for Israel was criticized by North Korea.
Israel and Iran: A Brewing Conflict
Israel’s military recently targeted Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor and its weapons development site in Natanz. This was prompted by intelligence suggesting Iran held enough fissile material to create atomic bombs. Following these strikes, Iran retaliated by hitting a hospital in southern Israel with missiles, claiming it was aiming for a nearby military complex. The clash has resulted in numerous casualties, setting back Iran’s nuclear ambitions by a few months, although the threat is far from eliminated.
In this volatile atmosphere, President Donald Trump is weighing the possibility of a U.S. military intervention targeting Iran’s nuclear sites. Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed Trump’s demands, branding them as “threatening and ridiculous” and warned against U.S. meddling. The Iranian leader also urged his people to remain resilient against Israeli attacks, a sentiment echoing a long-standing anti-Israel posture.
North Korea’s Unwavering Support for Iran
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un spared no effort in condemning Israel, describing it as a “cancer-like entity” undermining global peace and security. This condemnation came in response to Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” against Iran’s nuclear program. Kim’s remarks underscore North Korea’s historical support for Iran’s military and nuclear efforts, a relationship further strengthened by their mutual disdain for international nuclear regulations.
“North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un issued a statement on June 19, 2025, condemning Israel as a “cancer-like entity” that is “destroying global peace and security”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has criticized Iran for exceeding uranium enrichment levels necessary for civilian use, yet North Korea ignored these infractions, instead criticizing Israel. This selective outrage extends to North Korea accusing Israel, with Western backing, of threatening international peace and engaging in “state-sponsored terrorism.” It’s almost comical how North Korea bypassed discussing the toll of Iranian missiles on Israeli civilians.
A Complex Global Geopolitical Landscape
The harsh stance from North Korea isn’t unexpected given their similar nuclear aspirations and defiance of global standards. It’s a stark reminder of the global security dynamics as allies and adversaries wield their influence. The Israeli strike, while setting back Iran’s nuclear program, did not eliminate threats, highlighting the complexity of combatting nuclear proliferation.
While Israel plans more operations to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities, North Korea’s involvement reveals the intricate network of global alliances influencing these high-stakes military moves. The question remains: How will the international community address this escalating threat amid divergent interests and allegiances?
