Equipo Nizkor - Statement by GIPA on the Situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression (GIPA) condemns the United States of America’s and State of Israel’s acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel commenced military strikes across Iran. The strikes are a violation of the prohibition of the use of force enshrined under Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations and customary international law and are acts of aggression.

In describing the aim of the operation as being to disrupt Iran’s ability to support non-State armed actors and to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, the US and Israel seem to have invoked the right of self-defense. This right, however, may only be exercised in response to an actual armed attack or where an armed attack is imminent. No armed attack on the United States or Israel occurred or was imminent as defined by international law. Specifically, neither the pursuit of a nuclear capability nor the possession of nuclear weapons by a State provides a lawful basis for the exercise of self-defence.

Both Iran’s sponsorship of non-State armed actors in the region, and its massive violation of the human rights of the Iranian population, involve serious violations of international law and deserve urgent international attention. In the current circumstances, however, neither concern provides a legal justification for the use of force against Iran.

The US and Israel’s actions may involve the commission of crimes of aggression by persons in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of the state. Such persons should be held to account.

GIPA calls on the US and Israel to end their military operations in Iran, and to peacefully settle their international disputes. GIPA also calls on Iran to exercise restraint and to ensure that any exercise of self-defence abides strictly to what is necessary and proportionate to halt the armed attack on it by the US and Israel.

GIPA is deeply concerned that acts of aggression against Iran represent yet another dangerous precedent. In this context, GIPA calls on all States to take meaningful steps to reinforce the prohibition of the use of force enshrined in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, including by supporting the amendment of provisions governing the International Criminal Court’s exercise of jurisdiction over the crime of aggression. Mindful of the compounding risk posed by inconsistency in the application of the international law rules on the use of force, GIPA expressly urges States to join GIPA in calling out and condemning acts of aggression regardless of the identity of the author of such acts.

07Mar26

Statement by the Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression on the Situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran

[Source: Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression, 07Mar26]

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