The United States and Israel acted when they did not because of Iran’s strength, but its relative weakness. Nonetheless, can one still argue that, whatever the law, the monstrous crimes of Iran’s theocratic leadership justify its military decapitation? The threat to international law lies not in its occasional breach – that happens in all legal systems, sometimes for the best of reasons – but in its contemptuous dismissal. And that is exactly how both Trump and Netanyahu have treated it throughout their time in office. And based on what we have seen so far, Trump and Netanyahu face an uphill battle in arguing any such case.

Source: International New York Times March 05, 2026 21:17 UTC