More than 100 children aged between 7 and 12 have been killed in the ongoing US-Isreal and Iran war
By Mapaballo Borotho
The escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has entered its second week, continuing to disrupt daily life not only in the war-stricken region but also across the world.
The war has left some South Africans stranded in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai, following massive airstrikes and regional airspace disruptions.
The US-Israel war in Iran has already claimed hundreds of lives, with more casualties expected as the fighting continues. Children are among the most affected.
At least 165 children aged between 7 and 12 in the Iranian state have reportedly lost their lives in the escalating conflict.
Locally, the conflict could also have economic consequences, with petrol prices expected to surge, adding further pressure on South Africans already struggling with the rising cost of living.
Human rights lawyer Craig Mokhiber says the justifications given by the United States and Israel for launching attacks on Iran are inaccurate.
He says the actions by the US and Israel against the Middle Eastern country amount to an unlawful act of aggression.
“What the US and Israel have done in the attacks on the Iranian state is an act of aggression, which is to say a grave bridge of international law of the United Nations, have been violated. People have been reflecting on this and on how deeply it was unprovoked, which is obviously unnecessary,” he said.
He says it is important to understand that the war is a criminal act.
Mokhiber added that the war on Iran is a clear indication that the United States does not care about international law.
“What we are seeing right now is not just an assault on Iran, not just an assault on countries of the global south but also an assault on International law. The US government has been for a long time working to dismantle the structure of the international law, they do it not just through aggression and genocide but by attacking these law makers as well”.
Under international law, Mokhiber argues that Iran is acting within its rights.
He says Iran has the right to use armed forces to defend itself from any acts of aggression.
International law, he adds, also gives Iran the right to use military force in what are considered neutral countries if they provide support to the opposing side.
“Because it is acting in self defence, if any of its neighbours provides support to the US and Isreal regime, they lose their status of neutral countries”.
Mokhiber has likened these actions to Israel’s acts of aggression against Palestine.
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