ZURICH/FRANKFURT, March 8 - Switzerland's cabinet view is that recent aerial attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel amount to breaches of international law, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister said in an interview published on Sunday.
Pfister told SonntagsZeitung that the Federal Council regards the strikes as inconsistent with the prohibition on the use of force. "The Federal Council is of the opinion that the attack on Iran constitutes a violation of international law," he said, later adding: "In our view it constitutes a violation on the prohibition of violence." He urged all parties involved to stop the fighting to safeguard civilian populations.
The minister explicitly said his criticism applied across the board to states that did not comply with the ban on violence, naming the United States and Israel in that context. "The Americans and Israel have attacked Iran from the air. In doing so, they, like Iran, violated international law," Pfister said.
Legal experts cited in coverage of the developments have noted that many countries may view the strikes as unjustified under the United Nations Charter. That charter requires member states to refrain from using force or the threat of force unless they have U.N. authorisation or are acting in self-defence, a standard legal observers say is central to assessments of the recent actions.
The Swiss comments echo concerns expressed by other European officials. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told the RND newspaper network that he had "serious doubts that this war is legitimate under international law." Klingbeil also spoke strongly against any possibility of German involvement, stating: "I say clearly: this is not our war. We will not participate in this war." He warned of a broader erosion of norms, saying there was "a great danger that we are sliding ever deeper into a world where there are no longer any rules. We do not want to live in a world where only the law of the strongest applies."
Spain has likewise denounced the U.S. and Israeli bombings of Iran as reckless and illegal, adding to the chorus of European criticism over the legality of the strikes.
Context and legal framing
Observers and legal analysts cited in reporting point to the United Nations Charter as the governing framework for state use of force. Under that framework, the absence of U.N. authorisation or a clear, recognised claim of self-defence forms the basis for judges and states to deem such military actions unlawful. Swiss officials have applied that legal lens in concluding the strikes violated the prohibition on violence.
Diplomatic and political response
Switzerland's formal position, voiced by the defence minister, aligns with statements from senior officials in Germany and Spain who have publicly questioned the legitimacy of the attacks under international law and rejected participation in the fighting.
Summary of developments
- Swiss cabinet regards U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran as violations of international law, according to Defence Minister Martin Pfister.
- Legal experts point to the United Nations Charter requirements on use of force without U.N. authorisation or valid self-defence claims.
- German and Spanish officials have publicly expressed doubts about the legality of the strikes and opposed participation in the conflict.