Jakarta, 28 Februari 2026 – Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) firmly condemns and denounces the military attack carried out by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. This act of aggression constitutes a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and state sovereignty. Several provisions of international law have been breached by the US-Israel action, including:
- Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state;
- Article 51 of the UN Charter, which permits self-defense only in the event of an actual armed attack;
- UN General Assembly Resolution No. 3314 (Definition of Aggression), which classifies unilateral military actions as acts of aggression;
- Article 8 bis of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which defines the crime of aggression;
- The principles of international humanitarian law (Geneva Conventions), particularly those concerning attacks affecting civilian populations.
Beyond its illegality, this military action is also morally indefensible, especially given its potential to escalate regional and international tensions.
Reports indicate that the attacks have resulted in significant civilian casualties. As of late February 2026, various sources suggest that more than 200 Iranian civilians have been killed and hundreds more injured, including women and children.[1] This clearly represents a total failure of the ”precision strike” narrative used to legitimize such military operations.
Most alarming is that several strikes reportedly targeted civilian facilities, including elementary schools. One attack is said to have struck a primary school in southern Iran during school hours, which causes fatalities among children. Attacks against educational facilities constitute a grave breach of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.
It is evident that these attacks reflect a pattern of modern imperialism practiced by the United States and Israel. The recurring use of military force under the pretext of ”security” or ”preventing nuclear proliferation” reveals a broader strategy to expand geopolitical dominance over Iran, which is viewed as an adversary in the Middle East. This is not merely a regional conflict, but rather a manifestation of global power politics sustained through the normalization of war.
This also stands as a contradiction to the United States’ position as Chair of the Board of Peace. The US should be at the forefront of resolving conflicts through international law and multilateral diplomacy. Instead, the military aggression against Iran demonstrates the opposite: not the advancement of peace, but the deepening of militarized tensions.
The US-Israel attack has also drawn criticism from officials and politicians within the United States, who have asserted that President Trump acted recklessly by launcing the strike without Congressional approval and by dragging the country into a war the American public does not seek. This war violates international law.
The attack has had far-reaching consequences regionally, including retaliatory responses from Iran and the spread of hostilities into the Gulf region. This underscores how unilateral acts of aggression can rapidly ignite broader and more destabilizing conflicts.
Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) urges the Government of Indonesia to:
- Take an official position condemning and denouncing the US-Israel military aggression as a violation of international law;
- Reevaluate and withdraw from the Board of Peace as a consistent political stance in support of genuine global peace;
- Mobilize Global South solidarity to reject imperialism, militarism, and double standards in the enforcement of international law.
IGJ reiterates that global peace cannot be built through military force or threat-based narratives that lead to war. Peace can only be achieved when international law is respected and diplomacy is upheld. Indonesia must adopt a firmer and more principled stance in the current geopolitical climate, remaining independent and not aligned with or contained by any bloc or power. Otherwise, the spirit of Indonesia’s long-standing Free and Active foreign policy will be difficult to uphold.
For further information, please contact:
Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) Office
Jalan Rengas Besar No. 35C, Jati Padang, Pasar Minggu, Jakarta Selatan, DKI Jakarta. 12540.
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[1] Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/28/how-have-us-politicians-reacted-to-the-attack-on-iran.