Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) told a closed-door parliamentary briefing that Pyongyang has not supplied weapons or material support to Iran since the conflict began on February 28.

The agency also noted that North Korea refrained from issuing condolences following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in air strikes, according to lawmaker Park Sun-won, who attended the session.

The NIS further said Pyongyang did not send a congratulatory message after Mojtaba Khamenei was named Iran’s new supreme leader, underscoring what it described as a cautious diplomatic posture amid the escalating crisis.

While China and Russia have issued multiple statements on the conflict, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry has released only two relatively muted responses, the intelligence agency said.

This restrained approach aligns with a broader pattern in which Pyongyang has avoided direct criticism of US President Donald Trump in recent months.The NIS assessed that North Korea’s calibrated messaging is aimed at maintaining diplomatic flexibility ahead of a potential summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump expected in May.

Lawmakers were told the strategy reflects Pyongyang’s effort to position itself for a possible shift in geopolitical dynamics once the Middle East conflict stabilizes.Economic considerations are also shaping North Korea’s posture, the NIS said.

The country is facing disruptions in securing industrial supplies, alongside rising prices and currency pressures linked to the broader regional instability. The agency added that Pyongyang is seeking to secure oil supplies from Russia to mitigate the impact.

At the Ninth Workers’ Party Congress in late February, leader Kim Jong Un indicated a willingness to engage with Washington, stating there was no reason the two countries could not improve relations if the United States acknowledged North Korea as a nuclear state and abandoned what Pyongyang considers hostile policies.

According to the NIS, Kim’s remarks were delivered in a personal tone intended to signal openness to dialogue while maintaining strategic leverage, suggesting a calculated effort to keep diplomatic channels viable amid shifting international conditions.

Speaking at a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, Kim said expanding a “self-defensive nuclear deterrent” was essential for national security, economic development and regional stability, according to the official KCNA news agency.

Kim rejected the possibility of exchanging nuclear disarmament for economic incentives or security guarantees, saying North Korea had already demonstrated that it could pursue development alongside maintaining nuclear capabilities.

He said global conditions, marked by what he described as violations of sovereignty through force, underscored the necessity of nuclear weapons as the ultimate guarantee of state survival.

Analysts in South Korea said the remarks appeared to indirectly reference recent U.S. military actions against Iran, reinforcing Pyongyang’s longstanding position that nuclear deterrence is essential to prevent external intervention.

Kim said South Korea had been designated the “most hostile state” and warned that any infringement on North Korea’s sovereignty would be met without hesitation.The comments signal a continued shift in Pyongyang’s policy away from reconciliation, effectively redefining inter-Korean relations as those between two adversarial states rather than potential partners for reunification.

Officials at South Korea’s Blue House described the remarks as detrimental to peaceful coexistence, calling for dialogue and cooperation to ensure stability on the Korean peninsula.

Economic plan and defence spendingAlongside security policy, Kim outlined a new five-year economic plan focused on industrial modernisation, increased energy production, agricultural output and housing expansion.

The assembly also approved a 2026 state budget allocating 15.8% of total expenditure to defence, with explicit funding for nuclear and military capabilities, according to KCNA.

A message from Vladimir Putin was delivered during the session, pledging deeper strategic ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, he stressed that every military action must align with national security priorities and legal standards.

Hegseth said he stood by the original decision to neutralize the vessel due to intelligence indicating a significant drug-trafficking threat.

He emphasized that combating illegal narcotics remains a key priority for safeguarding American communities and strengthening regional stability.

He explained that he viewed the initial strike and then left to attend a scheduled meeting, underscoring that operational command remained in the hands of on-site military leadership.

The defense chief framed the issue as part of ongoing efforts to modernize command structures and strengthen real-time communication during maritime operations.

Officials from the administration later clarified that the additional action taken that day resulted from the field commander’s tactical assessment of potential narcotics remaining on the wreckage.

They noted that rapid decisions in dynamic maritime environments are driven by the need to prevent illicit substances from reaching criminal networks.

Hegseth reaffirmed that the matter is under internal review, including discussions about whether the full video of the operation will be released.

He highlighted the importance of responsible transparency, ensuring that sensitive material is handled in a way that reinforces public trust and protects military personnel.

The September 2 action was the first in a series of maritime counter-narcotics operations conducted across the southern Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

These missions form part of a broader strategic initiative to disrupt transnational criminal organizations that threaten regional security.

Officials cited the campaign as a significant effort to safeguard coastal communities, strengthen international cooperation and reduce the movement of illegal drugs into the United States.

They emphasized that maritime interdiction requires precision, discipline and close adherence to legal and ethical frameworks.

The imagery shown to lawmakers raised questions about the conduct of the second strike, prompting discussion about the standards set out in the Defense Department’s Law of War Manual.

The manual outlines clear protections for individuals who are incapacitated or shipwrecked and not engaged in hostilities.

Hegseth acknowledged the importance of these legal safeguards and said that reviews are an essential part of ensuring military actions remain aligned with U.S. values.

He stressed that the military’s credibility is strengthened when policies prioritize humanitarian principles alongside national defense.

Administration officials framed the broader anti-drug strategy as part of an international effort to curb dangerous cartels and protect civilian populations affected by illicit trafficking routes.

They highlighted ongoing diplomatic, intelligence and enforcement partnerships with regional governments aiming to improve maritime security.

The defense secretary noted that conversations with lawmakers and oversight bodies are a normal part of democratic governance.

He welcomed constructive dialogue as a way to refine operational protocols and support service members who carry out demanding missions.

Hegseth expressed appreciation for the men and women of the armed forces whose work forms a central part of national security.

He emphasized that their commitment to lawful conduct and operational excellence remains a cornerstone of U.S. defense policy.

As reviews continue, officials reaffirmed that the United States remains dedicated to transparency, accountability and strong cooperation with international partners in combating transnational threats.

They added that upcoming evaluations will help shape future operations to ensure they align with both strategic priorities and humanitarian obligations.