More Than 100 U.S. Legal Experts Say U.S.–Israel War on Iran Is Unlawful

Overview

• A group of more than 100 U.S.-based legal scholars released a letter stating the campaign against Iran breached the UN Charter because it was not self-defense and lacked Security Council approval.
• The signatories warned the conduct of operations may constitute war crimes, citing threats to strike power plants and a “no quarter” message that international law forbids because it means refusing to spare those who surrender.
• The letter cites figures from the Iranian Red Crescent reporting at least 1,443 civilian deaths through March 23 and flags the Minab primary school strike, which a preliminary government probe found was carried out by U.S. forces using outdated intelligence.
• The experts said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s removal of senior military lawyers and replacement of service judge advocates weakened legal oversight, and they noted his strategy dropped references to protecting civilians.
• The White House dismissed the criticism as the work of “so-called experts” and said President Trump is making the region safer by reducing threats from Iran.