In its first official response to the United States’ recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, North Korea has strongly condemned the operation, calling it a blatant violation of international law and Iran’s sovereign rights. The statement was issued through the country’s state-run news outlet, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), citing a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Labeling the U.S. action as a “grave provocation”, the North Korean foreign ministry said the strike — part of what the U.S. dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer” — was a “serious infringement of the UN Charter and the principles of international relations.” The statement also accused the United States and its allies of heightening instability in the Middle East.
The KCNA report stated, “The reckless airstrikes by the U.S. on sovereign Iranian facilities represent not only a direct threat to peace in the region but also a dangerous escalation that could trigger wider conflict.”
North Korea also warned that such unilateral military actions could lead to “uncontrollable consequences” and urged the global community to “resolutely condemn and prevent the United States from abusing its military power.”
The condemnation aligns with Pyongyang’s long-standing policy of opposing U.S. military interventions and supporting nations that are similarly at odds with Western powers, such as Iran, Syria, and Russia. Analysts suggest that this statement could signal deeper alignment among these states amid growing geopolitical polarization.
The airstrikes, which targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, were conducted last week and have drawn sharp criticism from multiple nations, including China and now North Korea. The United States has defended the operation as a preemptive response to Iran’s alleged violations of the nuclear deal and hostile regional activity.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, North Korea’s firm stance adds another layer to the increasingly complex web of global alliances and rivalries.
