Trump and Netanyahu Have the Law, and the Facts, on Their Side

Within hours of the United States and Israel launching their attack on the Iranian government, allegations that the operations were illegal filled airwaves and social media feeds around the world.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani claimed the strikes “mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression.” International law specialist Oona Hathaway insisted the attacks “are blatantly illegal,” while referring to an opinion article in which she reaches the same conclusion for the previous attack against Iran’s nuclear capabilities. UK Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn declared the “attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States are illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable.”

Though they are prevalent and may appear convincing, assertions such as these are mistaken. There is, in fact, legal basis for these actions under both international and domestic law.

The UN Charter

The standard interpretation of the use of force model reflected in the UN Charter suggests self-defense is the only permissible justification to resort to armed attack in the absence of a Security Council authorization or consent of the host nation.