Over 100 International Law Experts Warn: U.S. Strikes on Iran Violate UN Charter and May Be War Crimes

Key Points:

• Over 100 U.S.-based international law experts have jointly expressed serious concerns about the U.S. and Israel's military strikes on Iran starting February 28, 2026, citing violations of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes.
• The experts highlight that the initial strikes violated jus ad bellum principles, as they were neither authorized by the UN Security Council nor justified by an imminent threat from Iran, with prominent legal figures and the UN Secretary-General condemning the attacks.
• There are grave worries about violations of international humanitarian law due to reported attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, with a particularly deadly strike on a primary school in Minab, Iran, attributed to U.S. forces based on outdated intelligence.
• Dangerous rhetoric from senior U.S. officials, including threats of "no quarter" and dismissive attitudes toward rules of engagement and international law, is criticized as potentially constituting war crimes and undermining legal norms protecting civilians and combatants.
• The letter also condemns the systematic weakening of legal oversight and civilian protection mechanisms within the U.S. Department of Defense under Secretary Pete Hegseth, warning this undermines compliance with international humanitarian law and increases risks of civilian harm.