North Korea has expressed support for Iran’s selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader and strongly condemned what it called the “illegal” attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, according to state media.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday quoted a spokesperson from North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that Pyongyang respects Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike at the start of the conflict on February 28.

“Regarding the official announcement that the Iranian Assembly of Experts has elected a new leader of the Islamic Revolution, we respect the right and choice of the Iranian people to elect their Supreme Leader,” the spokesperson said.

The North Korean official also criticized the US and Israel for launching “unlawful military attacks” on Iran, stating that such actions undermine regional peace, international stability, and Iran’s political system and territorial integrity. “This is unacceptable and must be condemned and rejected by the entire world,” the statement added.

KCNA recalled that North Korea had already denounced the US-Israel war on Iran, describing it as “gangster-like conduct” in the Middle East.

The report also highlighted that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw another test-firing of strategic cruise missiles from the country’s newest and largest naval destroyer, the Choe Hyon.

According to KCNA, Kim emphasized the importance of “maintaining and expanding a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent.”

This marks the second missile test from the destroyer under Kim’s supervision, who previously praised efforts to equip the Navy with nuclear capabilities.

North Korea has long resisted US efforts to dismantle its nuclear program, citing the need to defend against potential threats from South Korea and its allies.

Recent statements from both North Korea and the Trump administration have indicated a potential willingness to resume high-level talks, with Kim suggesting that the two nations could “get along” if the US recognizes North Korea as a nuclear power.

#From AlJazeera