DW NewsDozens of international legal scholars say the US and Israeli strikes on Iran violate international law. In an open letter, the experts argue that the military campaign breaches the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force except in self-defence or with authorisation from the UN Security Council. They also raise concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law — including possible war crimes. The letter points to a strike on a primary school in the Iranian city of Minab, where nearly 170 children and staff were killed. Investigators say evidence indicates the explosion was caused by a US airstrike. The Trump administration says it is investigating the incident. In this DW News interview, we speak to Oona Hathaway, Professor of International Law at Yale Law School and one of the signatories of the letter. She explains:
- Why the war may constitute a “clear violation” of the UN Charter
- How international law defines self-defence and “imminent threat”
- What would need to be proven for an attack to qualify as a war crime
- And what happens if global powers ignore the rules-based order
