IN the early morning hours of June 12, 2025, Israel launched an unprovoked, large-scale armed attack against Iran. This was an egregious act of aggression by every definition. Through coordinated air, missile and drone strikes, it targeted residential neighborhoods, civilian infrastructure, public authorities and nuclear facilities subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards In a reckless and deliberate escalation that flagrantly violates the charter of the United Nations and the most fundamental norms of international law, Israel has launched a coordinated series of military assaults targeting several Iranian cities and its peaceful nuclear facilities, senior military officials, scientists and civilians These outrageous actions represent not only a grave violation of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity as a sovereign UN member state, but also constitute acts of aggression and war crimes under international law and international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. Most critically, these heinous attacks constitute a blatant violation of Article 2 (4) of the charter of the United Nations, which unequivocally prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state These coordinated acts mark yet another episode in Israel's pattern of unlawful and destabilizing conduct in the region, which poses a serious threat to international peace and security. Israel, the most terrorist regime in the world, has now crossed every red line, and the international community must not allow these crimes to go unpunished. The UN Security Council and secretary-general must condemn this aggression and act immediately and unambiguously. This is not merely a military attack against one nation, it is a direct assault on the principles that underpin the international legal order. Failure to respond will only embolden the aggressor, reward impurity and invite further chaos in an already fragile region The broader context of the Israeli regime's conduct must be recognized. Israel is currently subject to proceedings before the International Criminal Court for alleged acts of genocide in Gaza, and its senior leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces credible allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including through the deliberate targeting of civilians, the use of starvation as a method of warfare and the systematic imposition of collective punishment. These are not isolated incidents. They form part of an enduring policy of militarized repression, institutionalized impunity and disregard for the core tenets of international law, including human rights and humanitarian law The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its inherent right to self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and will respond decisively and proportionately to these unlawful and cowardly acts. The Islamic Republic of Iran will act with full resolve to protect its sovereignty, its people and its national security. This right is nonnegotiable. Israel will come to deeply regret this reckless aggression and the grave strategic miscalculation it has made Source: Manilatimes.net/2025/06/21/opinion/contributors/israels-war-of-aggression-and-irans-legitimate-response/2136915