Escalating Middle East Tensions: Israel's 'Preemptive Strike' on Iran Sparks Retaliation and Global Legal Debate
Today, Israel announced it had carried out a "preemptive strike" against Iran, with subsequent confirmation of US participation. In response, Iran immediately launched retaliatory attacks targeting US and Israeli-related facilities in Gulf states. In the UAE, fragments of an interceptor missile fell into a residential area, killing one civilian, rapidly intensifying tensions in the Middle East. Israeli Defense Minister Katz explained the action as a "preemptive strike" to eliminate threats to the nation. However, within the international community, particularly on social media, vigorous debate has erupted over the legality of this action under international law. Many point out that the UN Charter does not permit "preemptive strikes," and voices are rising for Japan to issue a message condemning Israel and the United States, given Japan's stated position of "aiming for the 'rule of law' through faithful adherence to international law."...