The Passing of a Scholar in the Malay WorldIn Memory of Tan Sri Professor Syed Naquib Al Attas
March 8, 2026SERUAN PERPADUAN UMMAH : HENTIKAN AGRESI TERHADAP IRAN DAN TOLAK PERPECAHAN SUNNI – SYIAH
March 10, 2026By Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations
( MAPIM )
10 th March 2026
Under international law, every sovereign nation possesses the inherent right to defend its territory, protect its sovereignty and determine its own political destiny without foreign coercion. These principles are not political slogans. They are firmly rooted in the framework of the United Nations Charter and the established norms of international law.
First, the principle of territorial sovereignty is a cornerstone of the international system. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. This means that no country has the legal authority to attack, invade or destabilize another sovereign state without legitimate justification or authorization by the United Nations Security Council.
Second, international law recognizes the inherent right of self-defence. Article 51 of the UN Charter clearly states that if an armed attack occurs against a member state, that state retains the right to defend itself individually or collectively until the Security Council takes necessary measures to maintain international peace and security.
Therefore, when a nation becomes the target of military aggression, it is entitled to take necessary and proportionate measures to protect its sovereignty and people.
This right is widely recognized in customary international law and affirmed repeatedly in diplomatic practice.
Recent international debates surrounding attacks and counter-attacks involving Iran have highlighted these legal principles. Many legal scholars and governments emphasize that military actions against a state must meet strict criteria under international law and cannot be justified merely on speculative or preventive grounds.
Beyond the legal framework, the right of self-determination is also fundamental. Every nation has the right to choose its political system, leadership and national path without external pressure or regime change agendas. This principle is central to the post-World War II international order and remains vital for preserving global stability.
In this context, Iran, like any sovereign nation, retains the legitimate right to defend its territory, safeguard its sovereignty and determine its national future free from foreign domination. Respect for these principles is essential not only for Iran but for the credibility of international law itself.
When these norms are ignored or selectively applied, the result is not security but instability, escalation and the erosion of the very rules that were meant to prevent war. The defense of sovereignty and the rule of law must therefore remain universal, consistent and non-negotiable.
US-ISRAEL AGGRESSION AGAINST IRAN* *A GRAVE VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
The military aggression launched by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran constitutes a serious breach of international law and a dangerous assault on the global legal order.
Under the United Nations Charter, the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state is prohibited unless it is carried out in legitimate self defence or authorized by the UN Security Council. Many legal experts and international observers have warned that the current strikes against Iran appear to violate this fundamental principle.
The attacks have caused extensive destruction and civilian suffering. Reports indicate that more than a thousand civilians have been killed, with hospitals, residential areas and other civilian facilities damaged during the bombing campaign.
Particularly shocking was the reported missile strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab, which killed large numbers of children. International organizations and human rights advocates have described such attacks on protected civilian sites as grave violations of international humanitarian law.
International humanitarian law is clear:
civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be deliberately targeted. Any attack against protected persons or facilities may constitute a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.
Therefore:
●The military aggression against Iran must be recognized as a violation of international law.
●The targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure must be fully investigated.
●Those responsible must be held accountable before international justice mechanisms.
The aggression must immediately halt to prevent further civilian suffering and regional escalation.
No country, regardless of its power, should be allowed to act above the law.
If international law is to retain any credibility, the perpetrators of aggression and attacks on civilians must be brought to justice.
Justice, accountability and the protection of innocent lives must prevail over power politics.
