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02Mar26

Presidential Statement Regarding the Use of Force Against Iran

The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the explosion of violence across the Middle East that this action has unleashed, are deeply concerning.

The Trump Administration has once again demonstrated its disregard for international law, violating the U.N. Charter's prohibition on the use of force by launching an unprovoked military attack, this time against Iran--less than two months after an unprovoked military attack on Venezuela.

In this latest attack, the Trump Administration has again violated United States law, which at a minimum requires consultation with members of Congress before involving U.S. armed forces in attacks like the one now unfolding in the region.

The President has offered no evidence of an imminent attack by Iran and therefore no basis under international law for a preemptive strike, and, given the many weeks spent preparing for war, no reason not to have sought Congress's consent.

Over many centuries, international law has evolved, in fits and starts, to address the most pressing challenges of a shared planet. The U.N. Charter, adopted in response to the horrors of World War II, ushered in unprecedented peace and prosperity. While its promise is not always realized, international law offers a tool for peoples the world over to work together, above all, to maintain international peace and security. The fundamental values that international law seeks to advance must be protected and respected.

For decades, Iranians have suffered egregious human rights violations; they have demanded--and they deserve--freedom and democracy. But such aspirations are rarely advanced through the violation of international law. To hold otherwise is to invite a more chaotic and violent world.

All parties to this conflict are urged to respect international humanitarian law and to respect the international legal order, which provides a clear framework for addressing disputes between sovereign nations. Maximum restraint and a negotiated settlement must be urgently prioritized before this dire situation devolves into an even wider conflict that further threatens global peace and security.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

The American Society of International Law is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization. Its mission is to foster the study of international law and to promote the establishment and maintenance of international relations on the basis of law and justice. The Society is a volunteer-led organization whose Officers and governing Executive Council are elected by its members to serve in their personal capacities.

[Source: American Society of International Law, Washington D.C., 02Mar26]
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Aggression and Illegal Use of Force
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