March 11, 2026 | 03:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - North Korea has openly announced its support for Mojtaba Khamenei as the supreme leader of Iran. Pyongyang also condemned the “illegal” attacks by the United States (US) and Israel against Iran, according to government media.
The Central News Agency of North Korea (KCNA), managed by the government, quoted a spokesperson from the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, stating that Pyongyang respects Iran’s decision to elect Mojtaba Khamenei as the supreme leader.
He is the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on February 28.
“Regarding the recent 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,” KCNA quoted the ministry’s spokesperson as reported by Al Jazeera.
North Korea’s government spokesperson also strongly condemned the US-Israel attacks on Iran, stating that they damage the “political system and territorial integrity of a country,” which is unacceptable and “must be condemned and rejected by the entire world.”
“We express grave concern and strongly condemn the aggression of the United States and Israel, which, by launching an unlawful military attack against Iran, are undermining the foundations of regional peace and security and increasing instability in the international landscape,” the spokesperson said.
Following the US-Israeli attack on Iran 12 days ago, North Korea condemned what it called “gangster-like conduct” in the Middle East.
The spokesperson also accused Washington and Israel of attempting to "overthrow its social system". Such actions “deserve worldwide criticism and rejection as they can never be tolerated”, added the official, as quoted by CNA.
North Korea Missile Test
In addition to discussing Iran, KCNA also reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had overseen the test of another strategic cruise missile launch from the country’s newest and largest naval destroyer, Choe Hyon.
Kim spoke during the event about the crucial strategy to “maintain and expand a strong and reliable nuclear deterrent,” according to KCNA.
The missile test from Choe Hyon marks the second test from the destroyer under Kim’s direct supervision, who praised his country for “arming the Navy with nuclear weapons” the previous week.
The US has led efforts over several decades to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear program but has had little influence on Pyongyang. North Korea maintains that such weapons are necessary to deter the threat of invasion by South Korea and its ally, Washington.
In recent months, the Trump administration has shown willingness to revive high-level talks with North Korea. However, Kim recently stated that the two countries can only “coexist” if Washington accepts its status as a nuclear power.
Read: Putin, Iranian President Discuss Conflict De-Escalation in Phone Call
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