north korea Expressed support for the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader, while condemning the “illegal” military attack by the United States and Israel that killed Iran’s former leader. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday that Pyongyang respects Tehran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei.Al Jazeera quoted the Korean Central News Agency as saying: “As for the Iranian expert meeting’s recent official announcement to elect a new leader of the Islamic revolution, we respect the right and choice of the Iranian people to elect the supreme leader.” The spokesman also criticized the United States and Israel for launching what they called illegal attacks on Iran. The spokesperson said: “We express serious concern and strongly condemn the aggressive behavior of the United States and Israel. The illegal military attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran are undermining the foundation of regional peace and security and exacerbating the instability of the international landscape.”The statement also said that such actions undermine “a country’s political system and territorial integrity” and are unacceptable and “must be condemned and rejected by the world.” The conflict began with a U.S. and Israeli attack on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sparking ongoing war in the region. North Korea had earlier criticized the offensive, calling it a “gangster-like act.”In addition, North Korean leaders Kim Jong Un Oversaw another strategic cruise missile test launch by the country’s newest destroyer, the USS Choi Hyun. During the launch, Kim Jong Un spoke of the need to maintain and expand nuclear deterrence. Al Jazeera said he referred to the strategic mission of “maintaining and expanding a strong and reliable nuclear war deterrent.” The test marked the second missile launch from a destroyer commanded by Kim Jong Un, who has recently praised efforts to arm the country’s navy with nuclear weapons.The United States has long sought to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear program, while Pyongyang has argued that its weapons are necessary to deter potential threats from South Korea and its allies in Washington. In recent months, however, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has signaled a willingness to resume high-level talks with North Korea, while Kim Jong Un has said the two countries could “live in harmony” if Washington recognized Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear power.
