The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has issued a stern and provocative warning to the United States and the European Union, urging them to stay out of the escalating war between Israel and Iran or risk severe repercussions.
In a statement broadcast on North Korean state media outlet KCNA, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry accused the United States and its European allies of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“The U.S. and its Western puppets must immediately halt their dangerous military adventurism in the Middle East,” the statement said.
“If they intervene in support of the Zionist regime, they will bear full responsibility for the outbreak of a wider war.”
North Korea also claimed that Western powers are using the Israel-Iran crisis as a pretext for expanding military influence in the Middle East, and warned that any form of NATO-aligned involvement would be met with “appropriate strategic countermeasures.”
Although North Korea is geographically removed from the Middle East, it has long-standing ties with Iran and other anti-Western states in the region, including:
Providing ballistic missile technology and military hardware to Iran.
Maintaining diplomatic relations with Syria and Hezbollah-aligned groups.
Sharing nuclear weapons development knowledge during past international sanctions.
This latest warning signals Pyongyang’s support for Tehran, adding a new layer of global polarization to the conflict.
International analysts say the DPRK’s statement is largely rhetorical but nonetheless dangerous, especially if it emboldens Iran or encourages other rogue states to join the fray.
“North Korea is posturing to show solidarity with Iran while indirectly challenging U.S. influence globally,” said Dr. Markus Ellison, a geopolitical risk analyst at the International Crisis Group.
“This could pave the way for coordinated provocations in other regions, like the Korean Peninsula or Taiwan Strait.”
Meanwhile, the United States has yet to formally respond to North Korea’s remarks, though Pentagon officials have confirmed they are tracking Pyongyang’s military posture closely for signs of escalation.
The warning also arrives as reports circulate that the United Kingdom may provide military backing to a potential U.S. intervention, prompting fears that a once-regional war may rapidly draw in nuclear-armed powers from across the globe.
