We strongly condemn the recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against the sovereign state of Iran.
This first salvo in the use of force against another state’s territory without lawful justification undermines the core principles of the UN Charter, which clearly prohibit the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
Unilateral military action of this nature heightens regional instability and risks igniting a wider and more destructive conflict.
When powerful states bypass collective security mechanisms and act outside established legal frameworks, they weaken the international system designed to preserve peace and security.
The erosion of these norms threatens not only the region concerned but the broader global order.
Reports of targeted killings of senior Iranian leaders and officials are particularly disturbing, especially in the holy month of Ramadan.
The deliberate targeting of leadership figures represents a grave escalation and carries serious legal and moral implications.
Political assassinations must not become normalised instruments of statecraft, as their acceptance would fundamentally destabilise international relations and increase the likelihood of sustained conflict.
At this critical juncture, restraint and de-escalation are imperative.
Unprovoked attack
Recently, US President Donald Trump's administration officials acknowledged in closed-door briefings with congressional staff that there was no intelligence suggesting Iran planned to attack US forces first.
Trump's missile claims were not backed by US intelligence reports and appeared to be exaggerated, according to sources familiar with the reports.
Questions about the justification for the war arose as the US military revealed the first American casualties of the conflict.
Democrats have accused Trump of waging a war of choice and have taken aim at his arguments for abandoning peace talks that mediator Oman said still held promise.
We call on the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly to convene without delay, demand an immediate cessation of hostilities, and take concrete steps to prevent further escalation.
The protection of civilians and strict adherence to international humanitarian law must remain paramount.
Reports of more than 150 children killed in Iran confirm that the assault on Iran does not spare civilians.
We also urge the Government of Iran to exercise measured restraint and to prioritise diplomatic avenues that reduce tensions and safeguard its population.
Iran has the right to assert its sovereignty and pursue its security within the bounds of international law.
However, retaliatory escalation due to the Western Front’s coordinated attack against Iran would risk deepening instability and expanding the conflict.
Engagement through multilateral diplomacy, confidence-building measures, and renewed dialogue offers a more sustainable path toward regional stability.
This is a truly defining moment for the international community. - March 3, 2026
Nurul Izzah Anwar
Polity executive chairman
Charles Santiago
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights,
Chee Yoke Ling
Third World Network
Prof. Dr. Mohd Afandi Salleh
Faculty of Law & International Relations
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin
Jismi Johari
Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (MAHAR)
Meenakshi Raman
Sahabat Alam Malaysia
