TEHRAN – UN experts explicitly condemned the recent Israeli military attacks on Iran, in unison with continued diplomatic efforts in Muscat to revive the Strike Timing – Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The attack targets nuclear facilities, energy, military infrastructure, and residential and media buildings across multiple locations, “advancing the accusations against Israel of pose threats to peace and security in the region and beyond,” experts said.
“These attacks represent a strong violation of fundamental principles of international law, blatant acts of aggression, and violations of the jus cogens norms.
Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibits the use of threats or force to territorial integrity or political independence, including claims of preventive self-defense against nuclear proliferation or terrorism.
Experts reported that Israel’s strike targeting nuclear and uranium enrichment facilities, air defense facilities and command centres led to extrajudicial killings of Iranian civil scientists, military commanders and other government officials.
The journalists are civilians protected under international law, but Iranian state television channels have also been targeted, reportedly causing the deaths of three media workers. The bombing caused serious damage and civilian casualties in various parts of the capital Tehran.
“The Israeli attack and Iran’s response, accompanied by a wave of successive attacks on each other’s territory, led to many civilian casualties, confirming serious concerns about this destructive cycle of violence,” the expert said.
Experts point to figures for the preliminary casualties of at least 224 deaths in Iran, with around 90% reported being civilians. They emphasized their obligation to strictly adhere to international humanitarian law, including their obligation to avoid intentional, indiscriminate or unbalanced attacks on civilian objects.
They recalled that even when acting in self-defense, states are bound by principles of proportion, distinction and prevention.
“We are particularly wary of reports of deaths and injuries of women and children, who are the most vulnerable in armed conflicts and are the ones who are the brunt of such violence,” the expert said.
They also agreed with the International Atomic Energy Agency that military actions against or near nuclear facilities pose unacceptable risks to regional and international security, as well as catastrophic humanitarian and ecological impacts.
Experts warned that Israel’s attacks on Iran and subsequent violence mark a dangerous escalation of risk in regions already tensed by the crisis and geopolitical competition, and threatening that normalisation of the use of force as a tool for foreign policy is already under great tension.
“We are concerned that recent strikes form part of a broader pattern of illegal, one-sided conduct by Israel,” the expert said.
“They arise along with continued and enhanced occupation, annexation, apartheid, violence and genocide against the people of Gaza, including hunger and systematic use of antibodies.
Experts emphasized that these multiple crises should not be seen on their own. “The current meaning of escalation goes far beyond the Middle East,” they said. “They will be struck by the core of the international system, established by respecting equality of national sovereignty, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and banning unilateral military action.”
UN experts urged the international community to take principled and coordinated actions to support international law, prevent further escalation and stop hostility.
They emphasized the need to respect ongoing international lawsuits against Israel for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Minutes place an absolute and unattachable obligation to be attached, provide or support without recognition, dealing with, aid or support with the state accused of atrocities. “Stoping the supply of arms to Israel is the first step to returning to peace and stability in the region,” the expert said.
“World leaders must encourage diplomacy and dialogue to resolve conflicts in a peaceful way, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law,” they said. “If you fail to act, you drag it deep by across the entire region.”
Highlights: The attack represents a strong violation of the fundamental principles of international law, poses a threat to peace and security in the region and beyond.