The Reckoning Project Condemns Illegal Use of Force by the U.S. and Israel Against Iran

The Reckoning Project, an organization committed to advancing international justice and accountability, condemns the illegal use of force by the United States of America and Israel against Iran, as well as related violations of international law committed by all parties to this conflict. We urge the U.S., Israel, Iran, and all parties to this widening conflict to uphold international humanitarian law, or the laws of war, and to prioritize the protection of civilians.

“The sheer recklessness of this war cannot be overstated,” said CEO, Janine di Giovanni. “It imperils lives, regional stability, and global commerce, and reinforces that Israel’s and the U.S.’s actions make the world less safe, not more.”

On Saturday, February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, dropping bombs on cities across the country and calling for regime change. The strikes killed top officials, including the supreme leader, as well as civilians, including 175 people in a strike on a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran.

Iran responded by firing drones and missiles at Israel and U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Both sides have continued air strikes, as the war has engulfed much of the region, killing hundreds of civilians and damaging crucial infrastructure and commercial shipping.

U.S. and Israeli leaders have vowed to continue the war, while world leaders have condemned it and urged the U.S. and Iran to return to Oman-mediated negotiations over Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Analysts speculate that Israel’s Netanyahu, who influenced Trump into acquiescence when Israel attacked Iran in 2025, was behind the decision.

The operation--“Epic Fury” to the U.S. and “Lion’s Roar” to Israel--violates the UN Charter, which prohibits the “threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” except in self-defense. The self-defense provision has been interpreted as applying only in the case of an imminent threat. In this instance, there was no evidence of an imminent attack. The operation also violates U.S. law, which requires Congress to authorize acts of war.

The Reckoning Project, as an organization committed to advancing justice and accountability, calls on all sides to stop this unjust war, uphold international humanitarian law, and protect civilians.