International law experts allege violations in Iran war

BBC:

More than 100 experts on international law have signed an open letter expressing “profound concern” about what they see as serious violations of international law by the US, Israel and Iran in the Middle East war.

They say the US-Israeli decision to attack on Iran was a clear breach of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force outside of self-defence or when authorised by the UN Security Council.

The experts point to “alarming rhetoric” being used by officials, including US President Donald Trump’s threats to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants.

In response, the White House said Trump was making the entire region safer, and dismissed what it described as “so-called experts”.

In the letter, the experts also took issue withDefence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statement that “no quarter” be given for enemies.

Denial of quarter in conflict means refusing to spare the life of anybody, even those who surrender or are wounded.

In international law, say the signatories, it is “especially forbidden” to declare that no quarter will be given, a prohibition also set out in the Department of Defense’s own law of war manual.