NEWS
Iran: the 2026 war nears its end, and the unresolved question of the use of force
13 June 2026 — Middle East · UN
The facts
On 28 February 2026 the United States and Israel attacked Iran, striking nuclear and missile sites and declaring the aim of regime change. Iran retaliated against Israel and against US bases in several Gulf states. After a conditional ceasefire on 7 April, repeatedly breached (fresh exchanges on 7-8 June), on 12-13 June 2026 Washington and Tehran finalised the text of a deal to end the war, mediated by Pakistan.
Legal comment
The core is the prohibition on the use of force (Art. 2(4) of the UN Charter) against the self-defence exception (Art. 51). The United States notified the Security Council that it was acting in self-defence (letters S/2026/161 and 162); Iran also invoked Art. 51, calling the attack an act of aggression (letter S/2026/106). The UN Secretary-General stated the US-Israeli strikes violated the Charter, while also condemning Iran's strikes against the sovereignty of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A broad body of international-law scholars characterises a pre-emptive strike on a nuclear programme, coupled with a declared regime-change aim, as a war of aggression in breach of Art. 2(4), deeming Iran's retaliation unlawful as well.
Implications
If a powerful state can launch a pre-emptive war and call it self-defence, the founding rule of the international order — the prohibition on the use of force — is hollowed out, and the same logic legitimises any aggressor. It is the principle of coherence at the heart of our manifestos: the rule binds everyone or no one. A deal ending the war does not erase the precedent.
Sources: House of Commons Library · Security Council Report · Just Security / Stanford Law · Britannica
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