In an interview published on 8 March, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister said the recent attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran are violations of international law. Legal experts assert that many nations will interpret these actions as unjustifiable under the United Nations Charter, which stipulates that member states must refrain from using or threatening force without UN authorisation, except in self-defence.
Minister Pfister told journalists that the Federal Council of Switzerland views the attack on Iran as a breach of international law, specifically the prohibition against violence. He called on all parties involved to cease hostilities in order to protect civilian populations. His remarks encompassed all countries not adhering to the prohibition on violence, including the United States and Israel.
“The Americans and Israelis have conducted aerial attacks on Iran. In doing so, they, like Iran, have violated international law,” Pfister said.
The number of European leaders expressing concern regarding US President Donald Trump‘s military actions and the resulting civilian casualties in Iran is growing. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been the first European leader to denounce the conflict initiated by Trump in the Middle East. Additionally, Nataša Pirc Musar, the President of Slovenia, emphasised in a statement on 7 March the significance of upholding multilateralism and abiding by international law. Furthermore, German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has voiced serious doubts regarding the legitimacy of this war under international law, as reported by the RND newspaper network.
