The US-Israeli attacks against Iran, and the threats against its energy infrastructure, as well as Tehran's retaliation on its Gulf neighbours underline how the norms of starting and escalating international wars have been upended. US President Donald Trump has at least twice threatened to use overwhelming force against Iranian energy facilities. Last week, he said he would 'massively blow up' Iran's South Pars gas field if Iran further retaliated against Qatari energy sites. And on Saturday, he said the US would 'obliterate' Iran's 'various power plants, starting with the biggest one first' if its leaders did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It comes amid mounting concern that the nature of this war is putting further, unprecedented strain on the global rules-based order.
Luis Moreno Ocampo, founding chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), said the global rules-based order was designed to protect civilians and prevent nations from resorting to war other than in self-defense, or when approved by the UN Security Council. He told the BBC that the war on Iran amounts to a crime of aggression under international law.
Moreno Ocampo also said Trump's threats to bomb Iranian power plants, as well as attacks by both Iran and Israel on energy infrastructure, do not amount to legitimate targets. He likened such strikes to Russia's attacks on energy sites in Ukraine which led to Russian officials being indicted by the ICC for alleged war crimes.
'Now we go from the rules-based system to the rule of the man, whatever today President Trump decides will be the rule. That's not a viable world,' he said. The White House called Moreno Ocampo's statement 'ridiculous', asserting that Trump was taking bold action to eliminate the threat posed by a 'rogue, terrorist regime'. Rights groups say attacks on Iranian power plants could devastate civilian life as Iranians already face power outages that disrupt essential services.
Iran's threats to retaliate against neighboring Gulf states for any strikes further complicate the already perilous situation. With missiles landing near nuclear facilities and the conflict escalating, the World Health Organization has deemed the situation critical, calling for restraint.
Luis Moreno Ocampo, founding chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), said the global rules-based order was designed to protect civilians and prevent nations from resorting to war other than in self-defense, or when approved by the UN Security Council. He told the BBC that the war on Iran amounts to a crime of aggression under international law.
Moreno Ocampo also said Trump's threats to bomb Iranian power plants, as well as attacks by both Iran and Israel on energy infrastructure, do not amount to legitimate targets. He likened such strikes to Russia's attacks on energy sites in Ukraine which led to Russian officials being indicted by the ICC for alleged war crimes.
'Now we go from the rules-based system to the rule of the man, whatever today President Trump decides will be the rule. That's not a viable world,' he said. The White House called Moreno Ocampo's statement 'ridiculous', asserting that Trump was taking bold action to eliminate the threat posed by a 'rogue, terrorist regime'. Rights groups say attacks on Iranian power plants could devastate civilian life as Iranians already face power outages that disrupt essential services.
Iran's threats to retaliate against neighboring Gulf states for any strikes further complicate the already perilous situation. With missiles landing near nuclear facilities and the conflict escalating, the World Health Organization has deemed the situation critical, calling for restraint.
