The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) condemns Israel’s use of armed force against Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as a grave violation of the United Nations (UN) Charter and international law and a major threat to international peace and security.
Under the UN Charter, all UN Member States shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.
Israel’s military strikes during the night between 12 and 13 June 2025 were aimed at dozens of targets, including Iran’s nuclear facility in Natanz, and resulted in the killing of key Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists.
“Nothing under international law may justify these armed attacks and the deliberate targeting of protected civilians,” said Saïd Benarbia, ICJ Middle East and North Africa Programme Director.
International humanitarian law prohibits the intentional targeting of civilians, such as, in all likelihood, the nuclear scientists killed as a result of Israel’s attack.
In addition, as recalled by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), attacks on nuclear facilities could result in radioactive releases, harming both people and the environment, and, as such, they “have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security”.
While article 51 of the 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, and could only warrant proportionate measures necessary to respond to the armed attack.
“The UN Security Council must live up to its responsibilities in preventing and ensuring accountability for grave violations of the UN Charter and related threats to international peace and security,” added Benarbia. “Watching idly by as the foundations of the international legal order are eroded, and the scourge of war is engulfing the region, is not an option.”
On 12 June, the IAEA’s board of governors had formally declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years. Iran announced it would open a new uranium enrichment facility.
The ICJ calls on Iran and Israel to comply with their non-proliferation obligations and ensure IAEA’s access to all their nuclear facilities.
Contact
Saïd Benarbia, Director, ICJ Middle East and North Africa Programme; t: +41 22 979 3800, e: said.benarbia@icj.org
Nour Al Hajj, Communications & Advocacy Officer, ICJ Middle East and North Africa Programme; e: nour.alhajj@icj.org
