North Korea denounced the U.S. and Israel's military operation against Iran as "the most hideous form of infringement on sovereignty," condemning it in strong terms. However, it did not directly mention U.S. President Donald Trump by name.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, a Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said in a statement on the 1st, "We strongly condemn the shameless, thuggish behavior of the U.S. and Israel, which do not hesitate to abuse military force for selfish, hegemonic ambitions."
The Spokesperson said it was predictable that the U.S. military threat against Iran would lead to an actual invasion, arguing that this was the "logical conclusion" stemming from the U.S.'s hegemonic nature.
It also criticized that "the increase in the U.S.'s hegemonic acts witnessed by the international community this year empirically demonstrates a destructive role that collapses world peace and stability."
North Korea noted that unchecked coercion and arbitrariness that do not face a strong response force regional parties to pay a costly price, pointing out that the current situation could negatively affect other regions politically, economically, and geopolitically beyond the Middle East. It also hinted at potential repercussions for the situation in Northeast Asia.
It went on to stress that the military actions of the U.S. and Israel cannot be tolerated under any circumstances, and that they must fulfill their responsibility to steer the Middle East situation back toward peace and stability.
The statement was issued in the name of a Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, and while its tone was strong, it did not directly criticize President Trump.