The recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran represent one of the most alarming escalations in the Middle East in recent years. In a region already burdened by decades of war, occupation, and instability, such attacks risk pushing the international system further away from the principles that were supposed to guide the post–Second World War order. The strikes were not merely another episode of geopolitical rivalry; they raised serious questions about respect for international law, the authority of the United Nations system, and the fundamental norms of human rights.
At the heart of the matter lies a basic question: can powerful states unilaterally use military force against another sovereign nation without clear justification under international law? If the answer is allowed to be “yes,” the consequences for global stability will be severe. The recent attacks against Iran appear to violate not only the spirit but also the letter of the international legal framework that governs the use of force.
The prohibition against the use of force is one of the foundational principles of the international system. Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations explicitly prohibits states from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state except in cases of self-defence or with authorization from the UN Security Council.
Neither condition appears to have been fulfilled in the case of the American and Israeli strikes against Iran. There was no Security Council authorization for such military action. Nor has any convincing evidence been presented to justify the attacks as an act of immediate self-defence. In the absence of these legal grounds, the strikes raise serious concerns regarding their legitimacy under international law.
Beyond legal technicalities, the strikes also undermine the fragile architecture designed to prevent war. The international community established these rules precisely to avoid the recurrence of the catastrophic conflicts that defined the twentieth century. When powerful states bypass these norms, the credibility of the global system erodes.
Military strikes inevitably carry humanitarian consequences. The international laws of war, including the Geneva Conventions, place strict obligations on combatants to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Yet modern warfare often blurs the line between military and civilian targets, leaving ordinary people to bear the brunt of geopolitical struggles.
Reports and concerns raised by international observers suggest that such strikes risk harming civilian populations and critical infrastructure. Even the threat of military escalation has already created anxiety among millions of ordinary people across the region.
War crimes are not defined merely by intention but by outcomes and conduct. Indiscriminate attacks, disproportionate use of force, and disregard for civilian life constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law. The international community must carefully examine whether these principles have been respected in the current conflict.
History reminds us that the Middle East has too often become a theatre where geopolitical competition overshadows human suffering. Every new escalation adds another layer of trauma for communities already exhausted by war.
Despite immense pressure and decades of sanctions, Iran has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The country possesses a deep civilizational heritage, a proud national identity, and a population that has repeatedly shown its capacity to endure hardship while maintaining social cohesion.
External military pressure has rarely succeeded in reshaping the internal political trajectory of a nation. On the contrary, such actions often strengthen national solidarity. The idea that bombs or coercion can determine the political future of a sovereign nation is both unrealistic and historically disproven.
The future of Iran will ultimately be determined by its own people. Decisions about governance, reforms, and national direction belong to the Iranian population—not to foreign powers, not to military planners, and certainly not to political leaders thousands of miles away.
Neither the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the ambitions of former U.S. President Donald Trump can dictate the destiny of a country with thousands of years of history and a population of nearly ninety million.
As Iranian officials have emphasized, the fate of the country will be decided by Iranians themselves. Attempts to impose political outcomes from outside rarely succeed and often produce prolonged instability.
The Middle East today sits on a geopolitical fault line where multiple conflicts intersect. From Gaza to Syria, from Yemen to Lebanon, the region already faces numerous crises. An expanded war involving Iran would not remain confined within its borders. It could rapidly spread across the entire region.
Such a scenario would have devastating consequences for global energy markets, international trade routes, and civilian populations across multiple countries. The world cannot afford another large-scale war in the Middle East.
Diplomacy, therefore, is not merely an idealistic aspiration—it is an urgent necessity.
Amid the escalating tensions, China has positioned itself as a voice for restraint and dialogue. Chinese diplomacy has emphasized the importance of preventing further escalation and protecting civilian lives.
During a series of diplomatic engagements from March 1 to 4, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone conversations with counterparts from Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. These consultations reflected Beijing’s effort to promote communication among key stakeholders and to reduce misunderstandings that could lead to further conflict.
China’s position has been consistent: the protection of civilians must remain a red line that cannot be crossed. Respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and commitment to peaceful dispute resolution are essential principles guiding Beijing’s approach.
In addition, China has announced that its special envoy on Middle Eastern affairs, Zhai Jun, will soon visit the region to facilitate dialogue and help ease tensions. Such diplomatic missions demonstrate China’s willingness to play a constructive role in conflict mediation.
Unlike traditional power politics that rely heavily on military alliances and coercive pressure, China’s approach emphasizes development, dialogue, and mutual respect. This perspective aligns with Beijing’s broader vision of promoting stability through economic cooperation and diplomatic engagement rather than confrontation.
The belief that military power alone can resolve complex political disputes has repeatedly proven misguided. From Afghanistan to Iraq, the record of foreign military intervention demonstrates the limits of coercion as a tool for achieving political goals.
Even the most powerful militaries cannot easily reshape societies or impose lasting political arrangements. What they often leave behind are fractured institutions, humanitarian crises, and cycles of resentment that fuel future conflicts.
Instead, the region requires renewed diplomatic initiatives, regional dialogue, and international cooperation aimed at addressing the underlying causes of instability. These include economic inequality, unresolved territorial disputes, and the absence of inclusive political frameworks.
The current crisis also highlights the urgent need for stronger global governance. The international community cannot remain passive when fundamental principles of international law are at stake.
The United Nations Security Council has a responsibility to uphold the norms that it was created to defend. Silence or inaction in the face of unilateral military aggression risks weakening the authority of international institutions.
Likewise, regional organizations and major global powers must work collectively to prevent the conflict from spiralling further out of control.
Peace-loving nations around the world should raise their voices in support of diplomacy and restraint. Civil society organizations, humanitarian groups, and global public opinion all play a role in demanding accountability and advocating for peace.
Ultimately, the crisis surrounding Iran is not merely a regional dispute; it is a test of whether the world still believes in the principles that underpin the modern international system.
Respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and the protection of civilian lives are not abstract ideals. They are the foundations of global stability.
When these principles are ignored, the consequences extend far beyond any single conflict.
The international community must therefore reaffirm a simple but powerful message: the future of nations cannot be determined through bombs, sanctions, or coercion. It must be shaped through dialogue, respect, and the sovereign will of their people.
The escalating tensions surrounding Iran demand urgent international attention. The United Nations, regional powers, and responsible global actors must intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence.
The people of the Middle East deserve peace, security, and development—not endless cycles of war. The Iranian people, like all nations, deserve the right to determine their own future without external coercion.
At this critical moment, the world must return to the fundamental principles that safeguard humanity.
Respect the UN Charter.
Respect international law.
Respect the sovereignty of nations.
And above all, respect humanity.
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