Switzerland’s defence minister has said that recent air strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel violate international law, adding to growing concern among European officials about the legality of the escalating conflict.
In an interview published on Sunday in the Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung, Defence Minister Martin Pfister said the Swiss government believes the attacks breached the prohibition on the use of force under international law. The statement reflects the position of Switzerland’s Federal Council, the country’s executive governing body.
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“The Federal Council is of the opinion that the attack on Iran constitutes a violation of international law,” Pfister said, adding that such actions go against the international principle that forbids states from using force without legal justification.
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Under the United Nations Charter, countries are generally prohibited from using military force against other states unless they are acting in self-defence or have explicit authorization from the United Nations Security Council. Legal experts have argued that many governments may view the recent strikes as lacking such justification.
Pfister said the criticism applies broadly to all parties that fail to comply with the prohibition on violence. He noted that both Iran and the countries that launched air attacks have acted in ways that undermine international legal norms.
His remarks come amid growing debate in Europe about the conflict and the risk of further escalation in the Middle East. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil also questioned the legality of the military action in comments to the RND newspaper network.
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Klingbeil said he had serious doubts about whether the war could be considered legitimate under international law. He also firmly rejected the idea of Germany becoming directly involved in the conflict, stating that it was not Germany’s war.
Spain has similarly criticised the air strikes by the United States and Israel, calling them reckless and unlawful. European leaders have increasingly urged all sides to de-escalate the situation and prioritise diplomatic solutions to prevent further regional instability.