North Korea has condemned Israel's military aggression on Iran, calling it a "crime against humanity" and warning that it risks triggering a broader war in the volatile Middle East.
In a statement carried by state-run KCNA on Thursday, a spokesperson for the North Korean Foreign Ministry said Pyongyang expressed "serious concern" over Israel's military attacks on Iran's civilian, nuclear and energy sites and "resolutely denounces it."
The spokesperson said the killing of civilians in Israeli attacks was "an unpardonable crime against humanity," and accused Tel Aviv of engaging in "state-sponsored terrorism" that was raising the risk of "a new all-out war" in the region.
North Korea also warned the United States and European countries not to intervene further.
"The present grave situation witnessed by the world clearly proves that Israel, supported and patronised by the US and the West, is a cancer-like entity for peace in the Middle East and a chief culprit of destroying global peace and security," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
"The international community is strictly watching the US and Western forces fanning up the flames of war, taking issue with the legitimate sovereign right and exercise of the right to self-defence of Iran, the victim," they added.
'Catastrophic phase'
North Korea's comments come as US President Donald Trump said his "patience had run out" with Iran.
North Korea urged Washington to refrain, warning that actions by the US and its allies were "pushing the situation in the Middle East to an uncontrollable catastrophic phase."
Trump's comments came after Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected his demands for an "unconditional surrender" and warned the United States of "irreparable damage" if it intervenes.
The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, reported that Trump had told aides on Tuesday he had approved attack plans for Iran but was holding off to see if Iran would give up its nuclear programme.
