Israel has launched a series of military operations against Iran, starting on June 13, 2025. This aggressive move included airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, military sites, and infrastructure. The Israeli government described these actions as "preemptive" strikes aimed at neutralizing potential threats. Alongside these attacks, Israel also targeted Iranian scientists and military leaders for assassination.
This escalation in hostilities has drawn the attention of the United States, which joined Israel in its military efforts shortly after the initial strikes. However, the situation has sparked a heated debate about the legality of such actions. Many experts question whether these strikes can truly be classified as preemptive defense or if they violate international law.
Historically, Israel has a pattern of conducting preemptive strikes. A notable example is the Six-Day War in 1967, where Israel justified its attack on Egypt by claiming that Egypt was mobilizing its forces against it. This military action led to a swift defeat of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.
Another significant operation occurred on June 7, 1981, when Israel launched Operation Opera. Eight F-16 fighter jets struck Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor, which Israel claimed was necessary to prevent Saddam Hussein from developing nuclear weapons.
In September 2007, Israel again targeted a suspected nuclear site in Syria, destroying a facility that Syria denied was nuclear-related. Since 2008, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes in Syria, claiming to target Iranian and Hezbollah assets, though these claims are often hard to verify.
Cyber warfare has also been part of Israel’s strategy. In 2010, the Stuxnet worm attacked Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, damaging centrifuges used for uranium enrichment. A NATO-commissioned report labeled this cyberattack as an "act of force," hinting at its potential illegality.
The trend of targeted assassinations continued in November 2020, when Israel killed Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh using a remote-controlled machine gun. This act was criticized as illegal by the International Bar Association under international human rights laws.
In 2021, an explosion at the Natanz facility was attributed to an unconfirmed Israeli cyberattack, further escalating tensions.
As of June 22, 2025, the U.S. conducted bombing runs on three Iranian nuclear sites, despite a lack of evidence that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons. While both Israel and the U.S. maintain that their actions are a form of self-defense, many analysts argue that these strikes breach international laws and the United Nations Charter.
This ongoing conflict raises important questions about the balance between national security and adherence to international law. As the situation unfolds, the implications for regional stability and international relations remain to be seen.