Which countries were designated as part of the "axis of evil" in relation to the invasion of Iraq?

The phrase "axis of evil" was coined by President George W. Bush during his State of the Union address in January 2002. He used this term to refer specifically to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as countries that he believed were supporting terrorism and seeking weapons of mass destruction. This terminology underscored the administration's view that these nations posed significant threats to the United States and its allies, especially in the context of the post-September 11 security landscape.

The focus on these three countries reflected concerns about their respective governments’ hostility toward the U.S. and their perceived ambitions in terms of nuclear capabilities or terrorist affiliations. This rhetoric set the stage for U.S. foreign policy and military action in the early 2000s, particularly leading up to and in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

In contrast, the other options listed do not include the same combination of countries as articulated by President Bush. While Iraq was indeed part of the “axis of evil,” the inclusion of other countries in those choices does not align with the original context in which the term was established.