Have all toys, but nobody wants to play: Kim Jong‑Un becomes internet punchline amid US-Iran conflict

North Korea called Israel and US strikes on Iran “illegal aggression.” (Image credit: X)

• US and Israel killed Iran's leader Khamenei in major strikes
• North Korea condemned the attacks as illegal aggression
• Flights canceled in India after Middle East airspace closures

Did our AI summary help?

As the world watches the US-Israeli military strikes against Iran that have shaken geopolitics and spiked global tensions, there is one leader who remains absent from the battlefield -- Kim Jong-Un.

North Korea’s nuclear-armed leader has become an internet meme as the US–Israel war with Iran dominates global headlines, with social media users joking he’s “the kid with all the best toys but not invited to the party.”

The US and Israeli militaries launched coordinated strikes on Iran in February 2026, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hitting strategic targets. Tensions surged across the Middle East, triggering threats, diplomatic warnings, and oil market jitters. Yet social attention went to Kim’s sidelined role.

Poor Kim pic.twitter.com/cTJpinntP6

— Rajiv (@RajivKondru) March 3, 2026

pic.twitter.com/fMmLaCzWfg — Sage(@SagewaseSouthAh) March 3, 2026

Kim Jong Un: Are you sure he didn’t mention our name anywhere?” Lieutenant: No, sir. Kim Jong Un: Refresh it… just to be sure. pic.twitter.com/K6xkTuwpgW — Youyou (@youyoubax) March 3, 2026

FUN BREAK: When you have all the toys but nobody wants to play with you pic.twitter.com/F9bP6QTxlh — China Now (@ChinaNow24) March 3, 2026

North Korea condemned the attack on Iran 

North Korea's foreign ministry called Israel's attacks on Iran and the U.S. military operation "illegal aggression" and a violation of national sovereignty on Sunday, according to the state media Korean Central News Agency reported.

Khamenei Killed In US, Israeli Strikes

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aged 86, died Saturday when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, and Israeli officials said his Tehran compound was hit in the operation.

Iranian media reported that Khamenei's daughter, grandchild, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law were also killed in the strikes. On the other hand, Israeli officials said 200 fighter jets carried out the largest aerial mission in the country’s history, hitting roughly 50 targets across Iran.

Iran condemned the attacks as unjustified aggression and launched missile barrages against Israel and several Gulf states that host US military facilities.

This event has caused widespread disruptions in international travel, with hundreds of flights cancelled at major Indian airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, after several Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace.