US-Israel attacks on Iran breach international law, Swiss Defense Minister says
The Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister has stated that the US and Israel's attacks on Iran constitute a breach of international law, adding to growing international concerns over the escalating Middle East conflict.
Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister stated in an interview published on March 8, 2026, in the Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung that both the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran's retaliatory actions constitute violations of international law. Pfister explicitly declared, 'The Americans and Israel have attacked Iran from the air. In doing so, they, like Iran, violated international law.' He emphasized that the Swiss Federal Council views these attacks as a clear breach of the prohibition on violence under the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against another state's territory except in cases of self-defense or with UN Security Council authorization.
The context involves US and Israeli forces launching strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, targeting military sites, missile capabilities, nuclear-related facilities, and reportedly killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel, US bases, and Gulf states including UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait. Pfister's statement aligns with broader international concerns, as other European leaders like German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil also expressed 'serious doubts' about the war's legality under international law and rejected German involvement.
Legal experts cited in reports indicate that the US-Israeli actions likely breach Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against another state's territory. The strikes lacked both imminent threat justification and UN Security Council authorization, making them difficult to justify under international law. Switzerland's position reflects growing international condemnation, with countries including Finland, Norway, Colombia, Russia, Senegal, Ireland, Spain, and UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres also expressing concerns about the legality of the attacks.
Pfister called on all partiesâincluding the US, Israel, and Iranâto halt fighting to protect civilians and prevent further escalation in the Middle East. The Swiss Defense Minister's comments represent Switzerland's official position as a neutral country traditionally committed to upholding international law and humanitarian principles. The statement comes amid escalating regional tensions and growing international debate about the legal justifications for military actions in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
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