North Korea Backs Mojtaba Khamenei

North Korea has expressed support for Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader, while also condemning what it described as military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran. The remarks were reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

According to Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday that Pyongyang respects Iran’s sovereign decision to select Mojtaba Khamenei as its highest political and religious authority. The spokesperson emphasised that the Iranian people possess the legitimate right to determine their own leadership without external interference.

Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed on 28 February during a military strike attributed to the United States and Israel. Following his death, Iran’s Assembly of Experts moved swiftly to appoint a successor in order to maintain continuity within the country’s political and religious leadership.

In its statement, the North Korean Foreign Ministry said that Iran’s Assembly of Experts had formally elected a new leader of the Islamic Revolution. Pyongyang, the spokesperson added, respects the decision and acknowledges the Iranian people’s right to determine their political future.

The spokesperson further criticised the military actions undertaken by the United States and Israel, describing them as illegal attacks that undermine regional stability. According to Pyongyang, such operations weaken the foundations of peace and security in the Middle East while contributing to broader global instability.

“These acts of aggression,” the spokesperson noted, “directly threaten the political system and territorial integrity of a sovereign nation.” The statement called on the international community to condemn such actions and to uphold the principles of sovereignty and non-interference.

Previously, North Korea had already denounced recent developments in the Middle East, characterising them as “gangster-like behaviour” and warning that escalating tensions could have far-reaching consequences for global security.

Meanwhile, Korean Central News Agency also reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised another test launch of a strategic cruise missile from the country’s newest and largest naval destroyer, the Choe Hyon. The missile launch marked the second such test conducted from the warship under Kim’s direct observation.

During the event, Kim reportedly stressed the importance of maintaining and expanding what he described as a “powerful and reliable nuclear deterrent”. He underscored the strategic responsibility of the armed forces to ensure the country’s defence capabilities remain robust.

Just last week, Kim praised efforts to equip North Korea’s navy with nuclear-capable systems, signalling an acceleration in the country’s military modernisation programme.

The United States has long sought to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme through sanctions and diplomatic pressure. However, these efforts have had limited success, with Pyongyang insisting that its nuclear arsenal is necessary to deter potential attacks from the United States and its regional allies, particularly South Korea.

Amid these tensions, recent months have seen indications that the administration of Donald Trump may be interested in reopening high-level diplomatic talks with North Korea. Kim Jong Un has also suggested that relations between Washington and Pyongyang could improve if the United States formally recognises North Korea as a nuclear-armed state.

Key Developments in Recent Events

Analysts suggest that North Korea’s endorsement of Iran’s new leadership reflects the broader geopolitical alignment between states that oppose Western influence. At the same time, Pyongyang’s continued missile testing underscores its determination to strengthen its military capabilities despite sustained international pressure and sanctions.