North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has publicly blamed U.S. policies for escalating conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea's state-run news outlet. Kim stated that Washington's actions have intensified what he described as bloody confrontations across both regions.

Key Statements

According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un directly attributed the intensification of ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East to the policies pursued by the United States. He characterized Washington's involvement as a driving force behind the escalation of these confrontations.

Context of the Remarks

The statements were attributed to Kim Jong Un and disseminated through KCNA, the official state media of North Korea. No additional details regarding the specific date of the remarks or the forum in which they were delivered were provided in the available source material.

Cryptocurrency prediction markets continue to reflect deep uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, even as President Donald Trump declared the critical oil shipping route "fully open," stated that the Iran conflict is "working out very well," and added that there will be no problems between the U.S. and Iran "as long as Iran shows respect toward the U.S." Trump also noted that negotiations are underway with a cautious "we'll see how it goes." Polymarket data shows just a 7% chance of normal traffic resuming by June 30, down sharply from 27% a week ago, with over $31 million wagered on the outcome. The market resolves to "Yes" if IMF Portwatch reports a 7-day moving average of transit calls of at least 60.

Current Transit Status

A transit call refers to a single registered voyage of a commercial ship, such as an oil tanker or cargo vessel. The following table highlights the key metrics reflecting the current state of Hormuz traffic and market sentiment:

As of June 14, the 7-day moving average stood at 3, compared to 115 on the same date last year — underscoring the scale of disruption to one of the world's most vital energy corridors. The 14-point memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran had mandated a toll-free reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days. However, Iran re-declared the shipping route closed, citing ceasefire breaches by the U.S. and Israel and ongoing Israeli military activity in Lebanon.

Conflicting Reports on Traffic

While Iran claims the strait is closed, the U.S. Central Command disputed these assertions, stating that 55 merchant ships transited through the strait on Saturday, moving "more than 17 million barrels" of oil to global markets. Trump's declaration that the strait "remains fully open" aligns with the U.S. military's position, though it stands in direct contrast to Iran's official stance. This discrepancy continues to highlight the ongoing volatility in the region.

Diplomatic Tensions and Ongoing Talks

Tensions had escalated after Trump threatened to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and launch fresh strikes against Iran over Hezbollah's actions in Lebanon. According to Iranian state media, Iran's delegation lodged a protest with the U.S. team at the Switzerland peace talks over those threats. The negotiations involve high-level meetings between U.S., Iranian, Qatari, and Pakistani representatives, including Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The talks aim to secure a peace agreement that includes a permanent end to hostilities and the reopening of the Strait within 30 days. Trump's latest remarks — that there will be no problems with Iran as long as it shows respect toward the U.S., that the conflict is "working out very well," and that negotiations are underway, tempered by a cautious "we'll see how it goes" — reflect a measured diplomatic tone, even as prediction markets remain deeply skeptical of a near-term resolution.