North Korea is distancing itself from its close partner, Iran, to pave the way for relations with the USA.

North Korea seems to be distancing itself from Iran, its traditional partner, in the context of the recent conflict, according to information provided by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea. Since the beginning of the conflict on February 28, Pyongyang has not sent weapons or supplies to Iran and has not expressed its condolences for the death of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Additionally, North Korea has not congratulated the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

While China and Russia have issued frequent statements, North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a more reserved approach, with only two moderate statements. NIS believes that this restraint is a strategy to secure new diplomatic space, especially in light of the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. North Korea is facing significant economic pressures and is seeking to secure its supply of Russian oil.

At the Workers' Party Congress, Kim Jong-un left open the possibility of discussions with the U.S., emphasizing that recognition of North Korea's nuclear status could facilitate relations. These statements are seen as a signal to maintain favorable relations with Washington and to prepare the ground for a new diplomatic phase.