North Korea sides with Iran

North Korea, often described as “under the dome,” has released a statement aligning itself with Iran and opposing Israel and its Western allies, particularly the United States. Kim Jong-un’s regime has called on the West to refrain from interfering in the conflict. More specifically, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned the United States and European countries not to meddle in the Iran-Israel war.

In the statement, issued on June 19, the North Korean Foreign Ministry condemned Israeli airstrikes targeting critical Iranian infrastructure, including energy facilities and civilian sites. The statement, carried by North Korea’s official news agency, described Israel’s actions as “a heinous crime against humanity.”

“The large-scale military attack carried out by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran on the morning of June 13, 2025, is an illegal act of state terrorism, which has aroused strong indignation and concern in the international community and increased the risk of a new large-scale war in the Middle East. Israel’s relentless military attacks on civilians, in flagrant violation of international law and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, constitute a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a sovereign state and are an unforgivable crime against humanity,” the ministry stated.

The ministry also argued that the current crisis has made Israel, directly supported by the United States and Western countries, a serious threat to peace and stability in the Middle East. According to a representative of the North Korean Foreign Ministry, the presence of US and European forces in the region not only heightens tensions but also undermines Iran’s right to self-defense. Notably, the ministry’s statement described Israel as a “cancer,” language more commonly heard from Iranian officials.

“The aggressive forces that have provoked a new war in the Middle East cannot escape responsibility for undermining global peace. Today’s complex situation clearly shows that Israel, backed by the United States and the West, has become a dangerous tumor threatening peace in the Middle East and is the main culprit in undermining global peace and security,” the statement continued.

The North Korean official also cited Israel’s historical invasions and conflicts, which have led to the Jewish state’s systematic territorial expansion.

“Israel has continuously expanded its territory through four Middle East wars and dozens of military invasions over the past century. In recent years, it has escalated its military operations against the Palestinian Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and other countries in the region. As a result, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, causing a severe humanitarian crisis,” the statement said.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry emphasized that, instead of condemning Israel’s aggressive expansion, the international community now focuses on criticizing Iran’s legitimate sovereign rights and its right to self-defense, thereby pushing the Middle East toward an unmanageable and catastrophic crisis. The statement concluded by stressing that the Israeli authorities bear responsibility for all actions taken by the so-called Zionists and their supporters. This marks North Korea’s first official response since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Iran.

So far, North Korea’s support for Iran remains rhetorical. There is no information indicating any practical assistance at this time. However, in a conflict with Israel — which has the backing of the West — Iran has found significant rhetorical support across the Eastern Hemisphere. To date, the foreign ministers of 20 Muslim-majority countries have issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s actions. SCO member states, including Uzbekistan, also voiced condemnation in the early days of the Israeli attacks. India, which maintains close defense and economic ties with Israel, notably did not join this consensus. Meanwhile, Pakistan was among the first to declare solidarity with Iran, and Turkey has also adopted increasingly sharp rhetoric against Israel in recent days.

Among these countries, according to current reports, only China is believed to have provided military aid to Iran. This week, The Telegraph reported that China had sent three transport planes to Iran and that the assistance is ongoing. The aircraft are believed to have carried military equipment needed by Iran in its conflict with Israel. The planes reportedly departed from northern China, flew over Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and disappeared from radar shortly before entering Iranian airspace, which has been closed to international flights. Originally, the planes were scheduled to land in Luxembourg, but none entered European airspace.