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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Comment
Kenneth Roth

Trump and Netanyahu’s attack on Iran is an illegal act of aggression

Protest against the US and Israeli bombing of Iran outside White Houseepa12784951 Protesters rally against the US and Israeli bombing of Iran outside the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 28 February 2026. In a video posted on social media, US President Donald Trump urged Iranians to ‘take over your government. It will be yours to take.’ Israel and US military conducted joint strikes targeting multiple locations in Iran in the early hours of 28 February 2026.  EPA/JIM LO SCALZO
‘As with any military attack, the consequences can be difficult to predict.’ Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA

We shouldn’t beat around the bush: Donald Trump’s and Benjamin Netanyahu’s military attack on Iran is an illegal act of aggression. There is no lawful justification for it. It is no different from Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine or Rwandan president Paul Kagame’s invasion of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The United Nations charter allows the use of military force in only two circumstances – with authorization of the UN security council, or as self-defense from an actual or imminent armed attack. Neither was present.

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