The assault on international law
CRIN is horrified by the escalation of violence between the US, Israel and Iran, which has put the lives of millions of children in the Middle East at risk, along with their families and communities. The recklessness of what has happened is hard to put into words. What is evident is that children are, once again, paying the price for clear violations of international law.
CRIN is horrified by the escalation of violence between US and Israeli forces and Iran, which has put the lives of millions of children in the Middle East at risk, along with their families and communities. Whether in terms of its impact to the rule of law, the environment, the economy, global stability and food security and – above all – the effect on people’s lives, the recklessness of what has happened is hard to put into words. What is evident is that children and civilians are, once again, paying the price for states’ clear disregard for international law.
On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched an illegal military strike on Iran. Dubbed ‘Operation Epic Fury’, these attacks were conducted in breach of the UN Charter, in the midst of high-stakes nuclear talks between the US and Iranian governments, and without a concrete cause, goal or strategy. What is clear, however, is that the US and Israel are failing to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. Now children are dying because of it.
Evidence points to US responsibility for the airstrike on a girls’ school in Minab, Iran, which killed more than 160 people, including many children. These deaths cannot be cast aside as collateral damage; we must name each loss of life as the consequence of reckless military action. There must be a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into this attack as a war crime. Given that the US has boasted of their use of AI in targeting their airstrikes, there are also serious questions as to what role this technology played. This is especially true given that Anthropic – the company that developed the AI that was reportedly used in the attack – is now suing the US government for being labelled a ‘supply chain risk’ in light of its limitations on ‘lethal autonomous warfare’ (conducting military operations such as identifying and destroying a target without direction or input from a human) in its government contracts.
In further breach of international law, the attack on the school is not an isolated incident. According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, 6,668 civilian locations in Iran – including 65 schools and 14 health centres – have also been targeted in US-Israeli attacks.
This war has also further violated the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. At least 83 children have been killed in a week, according to Lebanon’s Health Minister – and threats from Israeli bombs are, again, forcing hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people from their homes. It is incredibly alarming that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has warned that Beirut’s southern suburbs may look ‘like Khan Younis’, a city in Gaza that was flattened by Israeli bombardment during its on-going genocide of the Palestinian people. This comment comes at a time when Israel has, again, closed all border crossings into Gaza, threatening the 2 million people living there with another famine.
Given all of this, it is sickening to see the White House make light of the death and violence by publishing propaganda videos, with clips from video games and Hollywood movies. Those making decisions that cost children's lives should never make light of their choices, nor mask their violence in fantasy.
The Iranian regime’s military response is also concerning, with missiles and drones fired at multiple countries across the region, including at civilian targets. Iran has a right to defend itself, but any use of force in self-defence must meet the requirements of necessity and proportionality. Any intentional attacks on civilians are a war crime.
The Iranian regime has long suppressed human rights, including children’s rights – targeting its civilians while supporting proxy militias, who have also carried out grave violations against children. These actions are horrific and should be clearly condemned, and justice and accountability must follow. However, the US and Israel’s illegal military assault will not bring the change Iran needs. No one is freed by bombs. The future of Iran should not be decided by two countries who have been carrying out violent aggression across the globe. The future of Iran must be decided by the Iranian people.
Beyond the direct assaults on human life, the wider fallout of the bombings of oil depots in this war will have repercussions on the environment and human health for years to come. Those living close to the refineries risk breathing in toxic black smoke; in Tehran, that is 10 million people who have been possibly exposed. The oil spilled risks contaminating the soil and water systems; emissions from the fires can lead to spoiled food, a toxic environment and the disruption of the region’s healthy ecosystem and biodiversity, in addition to increased carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Exposure to such toxins can have particularly damaging effects on children’s right to a healthy environment, and puts their lives at risk by jeopardising their primary sources of life such as their food and water.
Since the start of the current war, the international community has struggled to rein in the US, Israel and Iran. Now is not the time for subdued statements. Now is the time – for states, UN entities, and regional bodies like the EU and civil society alike – to name responsible parties, to explicitly name what human rights violations are being committed and to enforce the rules of international law.
We have long lived in a world where the most powerful states set their own rules, but the rules of international law must apply to everyone. We should not accept a world where powerful states can commit violations with impunity, simply because of that power. And we cannot continue to observe senseless violence towards children and civilians. This cannot be our norm.
CRIN urges all parties to find a diplomatic solution and to abide by international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Lasting peace does not come through distorted ideas of ‘strength’. It requires accountability for war crimes and other violations of law, and a full commitment to human rights from all.