The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) condemns the armed attack by the United States and Israel against Iran as a grave violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, and a significant threat to international peace and security, and to the enjoyment of human rights and humanitarian protection of people in multiple countries.
The United States and Israel’s military strikes on 28 February were reported to have targeted, among others, senior political and military leaders, as well as military targets, with the stated aim of toppling the Iranian regime. At least 80 children were killed in a strike on a school in Minab, southern Iran.
Iran’s military response reportedly included several attacks on US military bases in the region, including in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as on Israel.
Under the UN Charter and general international law, all UN Member States shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.
While UN Charter guarantees the right of UN Member States to individual or collective self-defence, such right may only be exercised if an armed attack occurs against a UN Member State or where so authorized by the UN Security Council as necessary to meet a threat to international peace and security.
The ICJ recalls that States have an obligation under international law to take all feasible measures to prevent escalation and to protect civilian populations from the effects of armed conflict.
For decades, the Iranian authorities have been responsible for widespread human rights violations, including recent mass killings and other serious abuses against protesters.
At the time of the attacks, Iran and the United States were engaged in negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.
