North Korea has voiced support for Mojtaba Khamenei becoming Iran’s new supreme leader, while strongly criticizing the United States and Israel over their recent military actions against the country.

According to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a spokesperson from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Korea said Pyongyang respects Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader.

The statement said the selection was made by Iran’s Assembly of Experts, which is responsible for appointing the country’s supreme leader.

“We respect the right and choice of the Iranian people to elect their Supreme Leader,” the spokesperson said, according to KCNA.

The appointment comes after the death of Iran’s long-time supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Iranian state media reported that he was killed at the start of the war on February 28 during a United States–Israel attack on Iran.

His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was later chosen to lead the Islamic Republic.

Pyongyang condemns US and Israel

In its statement, North Korea strongly condemned the military action carried out by the United States and Israel.

The spokesperson described the operation as an “unlawful military attack” that undermines regional peace and increases instability in the international landscape.

North Korea also said attacks that threaten a country’s political system and territorial integrity must be rejected by the international community.

Earlier, Pyongyang had described the war in the Middle East as “gangster-like conduct.”

The conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance has intensified over the past 12 days, adding to tensions in the Middle East.

During a recent event, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un spoke about the importance of maintaining and expanding a powerful nuclear deterrent, according to KCNA.

North Korea’s ongoing military developments

KCNA also reported that a missile was launched from the naval destroyer Choe Hyon.

The test marked the second missile launch from the destroyer overseen by Kim Jong Un, who recently praised efforts to arm the country’s navy with nuclear weapons.

North Korea has long argued that its nuclear programme is necessary to prevent potential invasion threats from South Korea and its allies.

Despite tensions, recent months have seen signs of potential diplomatic engagement.

The administration of Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to resume high-level talks with North Korea.

Kim Jong Un also recently suggested that relations between the two countries could improve if Washington recognizes North Korea as a nuclear power.