Unlike Security Council, UN Experts Condemn US and Israel for Waging ‘Illegal War’ on Iran

“The US and Israel should stop waging and expanding wars, and considering themselves as above international legality.”

By Jake Johnson 

Two Iranian women hug while standing amid the ruins of their apartment, which was destroyed by US-Israeli airstrikes in Tehran, Iran on March 12, 2026

A dozen United Nations experts on Thursday denounced the United States and Israel for waging wars of aggression against Iran and Lebanon, a statement that contrasted sharply with a UN Security Council resolution adopted hours earlier condemning Iranian retaliation without mentioning the US-Israeli bombing campaign.

“The US and Israel should stop waging and expanding wars, and considering themselves as above international legality,” said the group of experts. The statement’s signatories include Francesca Albanese, special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territory and a target of US sanctions; Balakrishnan Rajagopal, special rapporteur on adequate housing; and Michael Fakhri, special rapporteur on the right to food.

The experts decried US President Donald Trump’s push for the Iranian government’s “unconditional surrender” and regime change, warning that such demands could “lead to prolonged war and enormous human suffering.”

“No violations of human rights in Iran or elsewhere provide any legal or moral justification for an unwarranted interference with the sovereignty of a UN member state and an illegal attack,” the experts said. “Any loss of life in an illegal war is a violation of the right to life.”

The statement came as evidence of US-Israeli war crimes in Iran and Lebanon continued to mount and the humanitarian crisis sparked by the regional war intensified, with millions already displaced and around 2,000 killed—including many children.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted by a vote of 13-0 a resolution condemning “in the strongest terms the egregious attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the territories of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan,” countries that host US military installations. Russia and China abstained from voting on the resolution, which did not condemn or mention the ongoing US-Israeli bombing.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday that “yesterday was a shameful day for the Security Council.”

“Those members, especially Western, who constantly assert their commitment to protecting civilians, especially children, proved that these claims are little more than empty rhetoric,” said Iravani. “They were unwilling even to condemn—or express concern over—the heinous crimes committed by the United States and Israel against innocent people in Iran, including the massacre of 170 girl students at a school in Minab.”

Jake Johnson

Jake Johnson is a senior editor and staff writer for Common Dreams.

The Facade Breaks: Arab Vassals Held Accountable

Samer Hassan, Vox Ummah

For two years, Israel committed genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, and the complacent leaders of the world decided it was not a red line. Many went so far as to support it with arms, to increase trade, and to shield it from tangible accountability. Entertainment organizations like FIFA and the Olympics suddenly decided they were apolitical and refused calls to expel Israel. Through the eyes of the elite, the world was to go on as normal, and if it resisted through sustained protests and calls for sanctions, it would be dragged by its heels into complacency and silenced through policy. The United States, first through Biden and then through Trump, increased its efforts to chill dissenting voices.

Human rights lawyers and judges were threatened and sanctioned. International law was rendered moot, and countries that were signatories to the Rome Statute decided that legally binding agreements were no longer relevant, allowing one of the architects of the genocide, Benjamin Netanyahu, to visit their countries instead of arresting him as the law demanded.

Facing little consequences, Israel continued to do what it does best: bomb, kill, destroy, and spread chaos, expanding its killing to other countries; Lebanon, Iran, Syria, and Yemen all became targets. Muslims, both Shias and Sunnis, who came to the defence of Palestine, were martyred.

Lulled into a false sense of security by American bases on their lands, Arab monarchies thought they were immune to any repercussions in the Gulf. One of the main reasons for building bases was to deter Iran and maintain regional “stability” – a “stability” in favor of imperialism. Bahrain would house the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet on its tiny island. Kuwait hosted a US Air Force base. Qatar housed the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and built the base with its own money, a headquarters responsible for facilitating weapons transfer so Israel could continue its genocide against Gaza.

The monarchies sat back and crafted PR campaigns portraying themselves as benevolent rulers sending tents and aid to the Palestinians in Gaza, knowing full well Israel wouldn’t allow any to enter, save for a negligible amount when politically expedient. These same monarchies clandestinely provided material support to the Israeli Occupation to appease the American hegemon, which was spending its own taxpayers’ money to safeguard any and all illicit Israeli activities.

All while the average American of conscience was forced to learn how to compartmentalize between watching Israel slaughter civilians in Gaza and going about their daily lives in a waning world power. Seeing their own material conditions gradually decline because the American government determined Israel was a bigger priority than its own people. Taxpayer money, from the smallest, poorest municipalities to the largest, most wealthy cities, the average American taxpayer was forced to fund an overly stretched empire determined to hold on to its place on top. American jobs were lost, and health care and higher education became increasingly inaccessible for many. People couldn’t afford to focus on anything other than their immediate needs.​

American capitalism demanded that its laborer do more work for less reward. It was the perfect scenario for Israel; blank checks from American taxpayers, coupled with America’s military might, would shield it from economic shocks and legal accountability, so it grew bolder and more vicious in its criminality. Its calls for the slaughter of all living things in Gaza became louder: “Amalek, Amalek, Amalek,” (a representation of undeniable, pure evil) was the rallying call from Israeli politicians. No demographic in Gaza was spared, newborns in incubators were left to die, elderly in wheelchairs were shot point-blank, rescue workers were tied up and slaughtered, pregnant mothers shot in their bellies, young fathers looking for flour sniped down, the largest population of child amputees in recorded history, Muslims and Christians were killed like animals. And the Arab monarchies sat back in their tiny little bubbles, thinking they were secure while pacifying their citizens through tone-deaf influencers and growing rich off of oil and tourism–their brand was everything. “Habibi, come to Dubai!”

But the world isn’t merely a digital facade; no matter how hard imbecile influencers portray a skewed reality, it doesn’t exist. It’s real people, and millions are suffering physically, economically, and mentally.

Israel’s hubris grew, bombing Iran on multiple occasions, killing negotiators, including Iranians and Palestinians (Israel assassinated Ismael Haniyeh in Iran in July of 2024 and bombed Palestinian officials in Doha in September 2025), and falling back under America’s protection when it couldn’t handle its own consequences. Iran, a 2500-year-old civilization, showed restraint, giving them a beating but still willing to come back and negotiate, tried again and again to find solutions through dialogue. Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who was mediating the last round of talks, said, “ A peace deal was within reach.” But a peace deal is not in Israel’s interest; peace in general is not in Israel’s interest. It has been under a state of emergency, renewed annually in the Knesset, since its inception in 1948. Peace would mean Israel can’t justify American taxpayer subsidies. And so, it bombed Iran again on February 28th, calling its aggression a “preemptive strike.”

This forced America’s hand as Marco Rubio said on March 2nd, “It was abundantly clear that if Iran came under attack by anyone, the United States or Israel… they were going to respond and respond against the United States.”

Going on to say, “We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties.”

Iran had previously warned the US and Israel that they would not hold back this time if they were attacked again. On February 28th, the opening salvos of the war began with Israel and America’s targeting of a girls’ school in Iran, killing nearly 200 children. On the first day of the war, Israel and the US went on to assassinate the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini. Iran responded as it had promised: targeting all Israeli and American assets within the region.

All of a sudden, the Arab governments that gambled away their sovereignty by allowing American bases on their lands began to experience an iota of what Israel had done to the Palestinians of Gaza. Years of turning a blind eye to Israel’s actions while appeasing the United States did not work. Their fragile little bubbles were burst. America barely defended its bases, evacuating most soldiers and leaving some to hide in hotels inside residential neighborhoods in these host countries.

Nonetheless, Iran found them, attacking all major bases in the region. Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE were all attacked. Dubai’s most exclusive and decadent hotels were subject to drone attacks because of their insistence on hosting American troops and intelligence agents. Smoke rose from the Dubai skyline. These fragile countries that relied so heavily on maintaining a facade of security amongst a tumultuous region proved to the world that they were mere vassals. Easily discarded when real problems arose. They signed away their sovereignty for nothing but widespread regional destruction. In the end, they will rethink their blind loyalty to the declining American hegemon.

Iran repeatedly said that it did not want a war, and Pentagon officials confirmed “there was no imminent threat,” but Israel, the colonial occupation, never held accountable for its crimes against humanity, has taught the world that it believes itself to be the exception. That is, until it is taught, it is not.

Analyst Calls for Smashing the US Network That Paved Way for Trump’s Iran War

“This stupid war isn’t just an indictment of the Trump administration, it’s an indictment of the entire machinery of DC warmongering.”

By Brad Reed

President Donald Trump addresses the audience as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen during the “The Shield of the Americas Summit” on March 7, 2026 in Doral, Florida.

While President Donald Trump is the person primarily responsible for launching an unprovoked US war against Iran, one foreign policy expert argued on Wednesday that the president couldn’t have done this without help from a large network of war advocates.

Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy and former foreign policy adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), noted in a Wednesday social media post that Trump’s decision to attack Iran didn’t come out of nowhere.

“This stupid war isn’t just an indictment of the Trump administration,” he argued, “it’s an indictment of the entire machinery of DC warmongering, think tanks, journalists, lobbyists, Republicans and Democrats, who have spent decades inflating threats. We need to smash that machinery.”

Duss didn’t name any specific DC foreign policy power players in his post, although less than an hour later he heaped scorn on Samantha Power, who served as US ambassador to the United Nations under former President Barack Obama and as director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under former President Joe Biden.

Duss reposted a video of Power recently being asked why she didn’t speak out more against the genocidal assault that Israel waged against Gaza given that she had written an entire book calling out the US for past inaction to stop genocides in foreign lands.

Power responded that she did her very best to get aid to Palestinians while running USAID, but said that ultimately she couldn’t “just get up and decide today what US foreign policy is.”

Duss, however, argued that this was a cop-out and said that someone of Power’s stature could have made a difference by speaking out.

“Sometimes it is better to work inside to make a bad policy better,” he wrote. “But Power is different. She had enormous credibility she could’ve used to sound the alarm on the Gaza genocide. She chose status, and ends as a cautionary tale.”

“There are hundreds of people who could’ve run USAID just as well as Samantha Power,” he added. “There are few who could’ve made as much of an impact by speaking out publicly.”

Duss’ critique of the US foreign policy establishment was echoed by Ben Rhodes, a former national security official in the Obama administration, who argued on Wednesday that the Iran war is partly the result of “a few dozen well-funded, oft-quoted, DC Blob ‘experts’ who have maniacally advocated for this outcome for 15 years.”

In a Tuesday post, Rhodes noted that he and other foreign policy experts had long foreseen the negative consequences of attacking Iran, such as the energy supply crisis created by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and that these predictable disasters were ignored by DC war advocates.

“Nearly everyone I know who opposes this war has predicted these exact consequences for over a decade. Trump decided to listen to Bibi and the most insular, hawkish, dead-enders imaginable,” he wrote, using Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nickname.

Brad Reed

Brad Reed is a staff writer for Common Dreams.

Official Statement of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) World Assembly on the Recent Situation in Iran and the Election of the Third Leader of the Islamic Republic

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Islamic Republic of Iran was established by the great architect of the Islamic Revolution, the late Imam Khomeini (may Allah be pleased with him), founded upon the pillars of religious democracy and the popular vote. Rooted in Islamic principles and the teachings of the Thaqalayn, this system, as described by the late Ayatollah Martyr Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Sadr, brought to life the enduring dream of the prophets. Throughout its history, it has steadfastly adhered to the rule of law, legal institutions, and constitutional rights. 

In recent days, despite enduring the most arduous trials in its history—specifically the savage and all-out aggression perpetrated by the United States and the Zionist regime, as well as the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader and Commander-in-Chief, His Eminence Imam Khamenei (may Allah be pleased with him), and a significant number of its military commanders—the system has succeeded in achieving a historic milestone. On the first night of the Qadr nights, through the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan, coinciding with the anniversary of the victorious Battle of Badr and on the eve of the martyrdom of the Commander of the Faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), the Assembly of Experts elected a new leader. 

In this context, it must first be emphasized that while the late Imam (may Allah be pleased with him) was the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Martyr Imam Khamenei was the one who institutionalized this system. He firmly established and reinforced its foundations and pillars, and with a forward-looking vision, defined the strategies, general policies, and comprehensive roadmaps for the country’s future. From a young age, he dedicated himself to acquiring knowledge, serving society, waging jihad against tyranny, and striving for the realization of Islamic government.

Following the victory of the Revolution, he spearheaded international struggles in defense of the Islamic Ummah and global justice, placing the ideal of Palestine—which stands as a central issue of the Ummah and a pillar of Islamic unity—at the forefront. He stood firm against all the conspiracies of global arrogance, and this unwavering struggle and effort were among his most exceptional characteristics.

On February 28th, Imam Khamenei attained the high honor of martyrdom as a result of a treacherous joint missile attack by the Zionist regime and the criminal United States. In accordance with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a Leadership Council (composed of the President, the Head of the Judiciary, and a representative of the Guardian Council elected by the Expediency Discernment Council) was formed, and the country’s affairs were managed under its guidance over the past week.

Despite severe security challenges, the continuation of the enemy’s aggressive war, repeated aerial and missile assaults, and explicit threats to target the gathering of the Assembly of Experts, the body successfully fulfilled its constitutional duty. Notably, even after the building of the Assembly of Experts and its venue in Tehran was attacked and destroyed, the Assembly managed to convene swiftly and elect the new Leader of the Islamic Republic.

It should be noted that the Assembly of Experts for Leadership, composed of mujtahid scholars and experts in ijtihad from across the country, representing various cities and schools of thought and possessing high levels of knowledge and piety, had assumed the task of evaluating the personalities capable of assuming this position in the event of a leadership vacancy years ago. By establishing the Commission for Articles 107 and 111, along with a three-member committee selected from its 11 members, the Assembly had prepared a list of individuals qualified to undertake this responsibility.

After the martyrdom of Imam Khamenei, the Assembly of Experts, holding an extraordinary session, elected Ayatollah Sayyid Mujtaba Husayni Khamenei as the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran by a decisive and near-unanimous vote from a shortlist of two qualified personalities. He stands as a worthy successor to a worthy predecessor.

It must be emphasized that Ayatollah Sayyid Mujtaba Husayni Khamenei was selected by representatives with the competence to discern and introduce scholars who embody piety, courage, managerial acumen, and prudence, in strict accordance with the Constitution. The decision-making process of the Assembly of Experts is grounded in the principles and characteristics stipulated by law and dictated by Islamic foundations as well as the vital interests of the Ummah and the nation. The late Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei, the Martyred Imam, consistently declined to name any specific scholar, including his own son, as his successor, even when directly approached, choosing instead to refrain from either endorsing or rejecting any individual.

Ayatollah Sayyid Mujtaba Husayni Khamenei initially declined to accept this responsibility following the vote of the Assembly of Experts. He only agreed to accept the Experts’ decision after being urged to do so by scholars of the nation and certain sources of emulation (maraji).

Followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) school throughout the world should be assured that this election was conducted on a solid foundation of principles. Although the chosen individual is the son of the previous Leader, the issue of heredity was never a factor in the decision. From an academic standpoint, Ayatollah Sayyid Mujtaba Husayni Khamenei has taught at the highest levels of seminary education for many years. His advanced kharij classes have been attended by hundreds of students, a testament to his command of jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, and Islamic sciences.

In terms of piety, his meticulous observance of religious issues, his financial piety, his rejection of worldly ostentation, and his asceticism are well-known. A clear example of this character is his initial refusal to assume the highest office in the country and the Islamic world. As for his courage, it is sufficient to note that during his youth, he took part in several operations during the eight-year war imposed by Saddam Hussein’s regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Consider the significance of the son of the president (during the later years of the war), the nation’s highest executive official, voluntarily deploying to the war fronts to participate in combat operations.

In the political arena, his awareness of the times and his managerial and judicious nature are evidenced by his role as a trusted confidant and advisor to the Supreme Leader throughout the years of leadership. He maintained a significant presence in all high-level decision-making processes and was actively involved in addressing the nation’s key issues and developments over the past nearly forty years.

His profound scholarship and mastery of religious fundamentals and sources, his distinguished teaching career, his piety, and the courage he demonstrated during the Holy Defense, combined with his decades-long participation in the administration and management of the country’s affairs, have established him as a unique and unparalleled figure. Having served alongside the Martyred Leader for nearly forty years through every domestic, regional, and international development and policy decision, he naturally garnered the attention of the Assembly of Experts.

Ayatollah Sayyid Mujtaba Husayni Khamenei has now assumed the role of Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Having taken the helm of the Islamic Republic, the Islamic world, and the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (as), he officially began his leadership in the early hours of dawn on the 19th of Ramadan, corresponding to March 9th.

We, at the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly, declare our complete allegiance to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Mujtaba Husayni Khamenei. We call upon all followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) across the globe, as well as all Muslims, the oppressed, and the free people of the world, to provide their full support to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. In these sensitive and trying times, as the Islamic Republic of Iran and our region face savage and vicious attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime, it is imperative that we mobilize all our strength and capabilities. By supporting the Islamic Republic and its new Leadership, declaring allegiance, organizing confirmation ceremonies, and praying for the success of this esteemed Leader of Muslims, the faithful can fulfill their duty in the defense of truth and justice.

Wa as-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh.

Assembly

Trump and Netanyahu: War Criminals

As those who issued orders for assassination and war, Trump and Netanyahu are war criminals under international law and regulations.  

"Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not love transgressors." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 190)  

"And if anyone attacks you, retaliate in the same manner as they attacked you. Fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 194)

From the perspective of the Holy Quran, the killing of a single innocent person—without sin or corruption—is equivalent to the killing of all humanity.  

"Whoever kills a soul not in retaliation for murder or corruption on earth, it is as if he has killed all of humanity." (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 32)  

Thus, the issue is not one of quantity. The killing of a human being without religious or legal justification constitutes a global crime. When such killing involves the murder of a pure and divine soul—such as the wise leader of the Revolution, his spouse, children, beloved bride, cherished grandchildren, over 180 innocent children, and numerous other individuals including nurses, doctors, athletes, public servants, and, above all, pure-hearted, brave, and devoted commanders and generals such as General Qasem Soleimani, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces; General Mohammad Pakpour, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; General Air Force Colonel, Admiral Ali Shemkhani, Minister of Defense Aziz Nasirzadeh, and many other revered commanders—whose martyrdom was mourned by millions of the noble Iranian people—this constitutes a grave crime. The punishment of a single execution for the perpetrators is insufficient. It is evident that the hands of these criminals are stained with the blood of countless great martyrs.  

General Qasem Soleimani, General Hussein Salami, the scholarly acclaimed General Mohammad Bagheri, the selfless commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and dozens of other military martyrs—individuals deeply rooted in the people’s hearts and, in one word, martyrs of the homeland and defenders of the people—cannot be easily forgotten. The hands of the criminals Trump and Netanyahu are undeniably stained with the blood of these legends of sincerity and purity.

On the other hand, according to international laws and regulations, Trump and Netanyahu—being the instigators of assassination and war—are recognized as war criminals and are subject to the highest criminal penalties. They are not only guilty of the massacre of non-combatants and children, but also of the assassination of the wise leader of the Islamic Republic, its commanders, and official figures. The assassination of official representatives of other nations, particularly when these individuals fall under the category of "persons protected under international law," constitutes a gross violation of multiple fundamental principles and binding international legal instruments. Such actions are not merely violations of state sovereignty, but also pose a serious threat to international order and security, plunging the world into global chaos and criminal acts of mass slaughter.

I now highlight several key international legal instruments relevant to this matter:

1) Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter explicitly states:  

"All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations."  

The assassination of an official of another country on their own soil or on the soil of a third country is a clear example of the "use of force" against the "political independence" of that state and constitutes a blatant violation of this article. Such acts may also be interpreted as "violations of the rights of others."

2) Article 2(1)(a) of the 1973 Convention emphasizes:  

"Each State Party shall criminalize in its domestic law the killing, abduction, or any other form of attack on the person or liberty of a person protected under international law."  

According to Article 1 of this Convention, "persons protected under international law" include a broad range of officials, such as "heads of government, heads of state, foreign ministers," and any "representative or official of a state" who, under international law, are entitled to special protection.

3) Article 3 of the 1973 Convention establishes the principle of aut dedere aut judicare ("either extradite or prosecute"). It obliges states to exercise their judicial jurisdiction in such cases. This means that if a perpetrator of such a crime is found on a state’s territory, that state must either extradite the individual to the requesting country or, without exception and without delay, refer the case to its own judicial authorities for prosecution.

4) In addition to written treaties, customary international law—binding on all states—also prohibits such actions.  

The Principle of Immunity for High-Ranking State Officials: Customary international law grants heads of state, heads of government, and foreign ministers full immunity from prosecution and attack during their official travels abroad. This immunity is not for their personal benefit, but to ensure the effective performance of diplomatic duties and the preservation of international relations.

5) The Principle of Non-Intervention in Internal Affairs: The assassination of an official—often aimed at changing a country’s political system or influencing its policies—is a clear violation of the principle of non-intervention in internal affairs. This principle is explicitly emphasized in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2625 (XXV), titled "Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation Among States."

6) Furthermore, the order to wage war against other countries constitutes a criminal act and leads to criminal responsibility for issuing such orders (Direct Ordering of Crimes). The clearest and most fundamental legal basis for holding those who issue orders to commit crimes accountable is found in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Geneva Conventions.  

Article 25(3)(b) of the Rome Statute (1998): This article explicitly states that a person is criminally responsible and may be prosecuted before the ICC if they "ordered, solicited, or induced" the commission of a crime. This provision directly identifies the commander or person issuing the order as the principal perpetrator.

7) The Geneva Conventions (1949): Articles 49, 50, 129, and 146(2) in the First through Fourth Geneva Conventions clearly stipulate that contracting states must enact appropriate laws to ensure effective punishment of individuals who commit any of the "grave breaches" of these conventions. These provisions specifically emphasize that this obligation includes individuals who have "ordered the commission of such breaches."

Based on the above legal provisions, any person who issues an order for assassination or war resulting in mass slaughter is a war criminal:

1. Under Article 25(3)(b) of the Rome Statute, they are directly criminally responsible as the principal perpetrator of the crime.  

2. Under Article 28 of the Rome Statute, they are accountable as a commander who failed in their duty of supervision and control.  

3. They cannot invoke the defense of "following orders" (Article 33), because crimes against humanity and many forms of war crimes are manifestly unlawful and thus cannot be justified by obedience to superior orders.

Therefore, such an individual is recognized as a war criminal and is subject to prosecution before international criminal courts—such as the International Criminal Court (ICC)—or national courts based on the principle of universal jurisdiction.

In summary, the assassination of state officials, particularly high-ranking ones, constitutes a violation of a network of international obligations whose ultimate purpose is the preservation of peace, security, and cooperation among nations. Such acts are recognized as international crimes, and perpetrators—regardless of their rank—can be pursued by the international community or international judicial bodies.

It is therefore expected of national security and defense leaders that, at the conclusion of hostilities, Trump and Netanyahu be prosecuted as war criminals. This is not only a service to all humanity but also a just demand from all global movements striving against war.

Saied Reza Ameli – Professor at the Department of Communication, University of Tehran

America’s Gulf war machine: What we know about the US military network in the Middle East

The United States has access to a diverse array of bases and allied facilities to support its operations against Iran

US aggression against Iran would have been impossible without US military bases on the territories of the Gulf monarchies. These bases serve as the key footholds for deploying America’s offensive capabilities. US military presence in the region has long been a strategic cornerstone of American policy. Its goal is to ensure the security of global oil supplies, protect allies, and deter regional threats, which, according to the US-Israeli narrative, emanate mainly from Iran.

The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is a cornerstone of American military presence in the region. Its operations span the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the surrounding waters. Key bases are located in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman and include military headquarters, critical infrastructure facilities, logistical hubs, air bases, and seaports. Ahead of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, the US anticipated retaliation and significantly reduced the number of troops and support staff at these bases. However, the deployment of additional offensive forces and missile defense systems have led to a significant US military buildup in the region. 

US Navy’s Fifth Fleet

The Fifth Fleet was reactivated in 1995 following Operation Desert Storm against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. It became clear that in such an unstable region, the US Navy had to maintain a constant presence – to support “democracy and freedom” as America put it. Today, the Fifth Fleet oversees operations across an area of 2.5 million square miles – from the Persian Gulf to vast portions of the Indian Ocean.

The fleet’s headquarters are located in Bahrain at the central base of the US Navy in Manama, known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain). Located in the Juffair district, NSA Bahrain encompasses several city blocks, including warehouses, command centers for communications and intelligence, a baseball field, and housing facilities. The base coordinates fleet operations, including carrier strike groups like the USS Abraham Lincoln, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, frigates, and submarines operating within the Fifth Fleet’s area of responsibility.

The Fifth Fleet previously participated in operations Earnest Will (carried out in 1987-1988; focused on ensuring the safe passage of oil tankers) and Praying Mantis (carried out in 1988; strikes on Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf). The fleet also took part in the Iraq War in 2003 and operations against ISIS and the Yemeni Houthis. Naturally, the Fifth Fleet is now directly involved in Operation Epic Fury against Iran. 

Bahrain: NSA Bahrain

The central base of the US Navy and the primary command center NSA Bahrain is simply marked on maps as “US Naval base.” The US Navy inherited the base from the British fleet in 1971. Shortly after the re-establishment of the Fifth Fleet in 1995, its headquarters became situated here. Adjacent to it is a logistics center with a port, hangars, and a hospital – the Khalifa Bin Salman Port, named in honor of Bahrain’s late prime minister (1935-2020). NSA Bahrain borders this port, through which all Fifth Fleet cargo is processed.

The American presence at NSA Bahrain is significant, with up to 8,500 personnel stationed there during peacetime. However, due to the ongoing combat operations, that number has been reduced to around 1,000 personnel. The base hosts US Navy destroyers and aircraft carriers, and is protected by the navy’s air defense forces and Patriot missile defense systems. Additionally, it houses one of the largest space communications and signals intelligence centers, which was targeted on the first day of the hostilities on February 28. The base has been targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles and Shahed kamikaze drones. 

Qatar: Al Udeid Air Base

Al Udeid Air Base was built by Qatar in 1996 under a Defense Cooperation Agreement following Operation Desert Storm. The primary goal of the local authorities is to ensure a consistent American military presence in the region to deter threats from neighboring countries, particularly Iran. The US first utilized the base in 2001 for operations in Afghanistan, and in 2002, an official agreement was signed with Qatar, allowing the US Air Force to operate from Al Udeid. This base played a crucial role in coordinating US Air Force efforts during operations in Afghanistan and particularly during the withdrawal of US troops in 2021. Missions against the Houthis and ISIS were also carried out from this base. 

Today, Al Udeid serves as the largest US airbase in the region, accommodating up to 10,000 personnel during peacetime (this number was reduced to 5,000 in February 2026). In addition to American aircraft, the base also hosts the planes of the Qatar Air Force and other US allies in the region. Covering over 24 hectares, it supports more than 1,000 aircraft sorties daily. The base can accommodate C-17 large military transport aircraft, B-52H and B-1B bombers, as well as F-22 and F-35 fighter jets. Support aircraft, refueling planes, and RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 reconnaissance-strike drones are also stationed at Al Udeid.

Lately, the base has been subjected to multiple Iranian missile attacks and drone strikes. Satellite imagery indicates damage to the Early Warning AN/FPS-132 Radar north of the airbase. This compromises US military awareness in countering Iranian missile strikes and significantly hampers the operational capabilities of the expeditionary force.

AL UDEID, QATAR - DECEMBER 30, 2002 ©  Photo by Cherie A. Thurlby/USAF/Getty Images

Kuwait: Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring, Ali Al Salem

US bases in Kuwait were established following Operation Desert Storm when coalition forces liberated the country from Iraqi occupation. Three main American military facilities – Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring, and Ali Al Salem Air Base – serve as key logistics hubs for US forces in the region and support CENTCOM operations. These facilities were set up prior to the Iraq War in 2003 and played a key role in that conflict.

US bases in Kuwait have again become crucial during the preparations for the strike against Iran. Kuwait hosts frontline US forces equipped with F-16 fighter jets and AH-64 Apache helicopters. The Ali Al Salem Air Base plays a key role in this. Supply lines for fuel, ammunition, and spare parts are well established for the deployed US Air Force units. Ground forces and Patriot missile defense systems are also deployed at these bases.

Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Kuwait began on February 28, when missiles and drones targeted the country. The attacks employed both older liquid-fueled missiles and more advanced solid-fueled Fateh-110 missiles. US facilities were also struck by Shahed-136 kamikaze drones and various cruise missiles. In Kuwait, the US suffered its first officially-recognized combat fatalities during the current conflict. All American military facilities in Kuwait, including airbases, air defense systems, warehouses, and command centers, have been damaged by Iranian retaliatory strikes. 

December 8, 2014 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. © Getty Images / Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The UAE: Al Dhafra Air Base and Jebel Ali Port

In the United Arab Emirates, the US military is based at the Al Dhafra Air Base and Jebel Ali Port. These sites serve as strategic points for monitoring the Persian Gulf and have become primary targets for Iran.

Al Dhafra Air Base is located 32 kilometers south of Abu Dhabi and serves as a joint facility for UAE and US Air Forces. Originally a civilian airport renovated in the 1980s, since 9/11 it has been utilized by the US for operations in Afghanistan. Since 2002, an American Air Expeditionary Wing has operated there, specializing in refueling, reconnaissance, and precision strikes on ground targets. Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems managed by UAE personnel are deployed at the base. It houses at least 5,000 American troops alongside several thousand UAE troops. 

The second major US military facility in the UAE is Jebel Ali Port, one of the largest artificial ports in the world and the main hub for the US Navy in the region. Since 1979, the US has had access to this port, which serves as a logistical base for supplying, servicing, and repairing combat vessels, including aircraft carriers and destroyers. With 140 berths and covering 35 square kilometers, the port can accommodate up to 20 large ships simultaneously. It employs around 1,000 personnel, including sailors, engineers, and other staff. 

Starting on February 28, Iran launched powerful missile and drone strikes against these UAE bases. In the initial days of the conflict, Iran fired 10-15 Fateh-110/313 ballistic missiles at Al Dhafra and deployed around 50 Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. Several hangars and the runway sustained damage, and there may be damage to aircraft. Casualties among American troops have been reported. Missile defense systems protect the facility, but it is impossible to intercept all incoming threats.

Iran has primarily targeted Jebel Ali Port with drones and cruise missiles, causing damage to fuel storage facilities, warehouses, docks, and cranes. Casualties have been reported among the staff. US Navy ships withdrew ahead of the drone strikes. 

USS George Washington to pull in to Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates ©  Photo By U.S. Navy/Getty Images

Oman: RAFO Thumrait and RAFO Masirah, Duqm and Salalah Ports

American military presence in the Sultanate of Oman differs from that in the UAE or Qatar, as it does not include large permanent bases. Instead, it relies on a Facilities Access Agreement established in the 1980s. The US utilizes several Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) airbases and ports for rotations, logistics, and training, with a focus on supporting the Fifth Fleet and conducting CENTCOM operations. In 2026, the facilities in Oman were enhanced in preparation for the operation against Iran. Considering Oman’s mediating role, Iran and its proxies tend to avoid targeting sites within the sultanate.

RAFO Thumrait airbase in Dhofar Province has served as a primary access point for the US Air Force since 1981. Covering about 100 square kilometers, it regularly hosts RAFO aircraft. The US uses this base for tanker aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, and drones supporting Fifth Fleet missions. RAFO Masirah airbase, located on the eastern coast of Oman, is also utilized in support of naval aviation.

The ports of Duqm and Salalah function as logistical hubs for supplying US naval forces in the region. They can accommodate aircraft carriers and destroyers, have shipyards and large warehouses. 

After the attack on Iran, the Omani government maintained neutrality and distanced itself from the US. This stance helped prevent targeted ballistic missile strikes on Oman, but failed to safeguard it against a kamikaze drone attack on March 3, likely conducted by Iranian proxy forces from Yemen.

Saudi Arabia

As America’s largest ally in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia could join US strikes against Iran if the kingdom suffers significant damage. The US military presence in Saudi Arabia is centered around Prince Sultan Air Base. It supports CENTCOM operations in terms of logistics and missile defense capabilities, and is used to counter threats from the Yemeni Houthis.

Located 100 kilometers southeast of Riyadh, Prince Sultan Air Base was built in 1982 for the Royal Saudi Air Force and played a crucial role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. US activity resumed at the base in 2019 following Houthi attacks on Aramco oil corporation facilities. Four Patriot missile batteries have been deployed there. 

Iran has targeted both military bases in Saudi Arabia and the facilities owned by Aramco, launching ballistic missiles and Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. The attacks have damaged Patriot missile batteries, air base infrastructure, and Aramco production sites.

The situation in the region is undeniably volatile, and it seems that by attacking the Gulf monarchies, Iran is compelling these nations to persuade the US to halt its military campaign.  Apparently, such pressure is indeed being exerted on the US. However, it’s unclear whether Iran can avoid crossing a line that could provoke a strong retaliatory response from neighboring countries, including airstrikes. For now, it is managing to do so.

By Dmitry Kornev, military expert, founder and author of the MilitaryRussia project

How badly has Iran damaged US military bases?

American military targets in six countries have come under Iranian fire, and the Pentagon is doing its best to hide the destruction

Within hours of the US launching ‘Operation Epic Fury’, Iran unleashed retaliatory strikes against American military bases in the Middle East. Behind a veil of censorship, it’s clear that the damage is far more severe than the Pentagon is admitting.

Two weeks into the war, the US death tall continues to rise. An American KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Friday, killing all six crew members, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed.

Later on Saturday, the WSJ reported that five US Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, citing two American officials.

Last week, Washington admitted the deaths of eight service members. Three fighter jets were lost in mysterious circumstances, while damage reports from American bases have come not from Pentagon press releases, but from satellite images and cellphone videos – often shot in defiance of strict wartime censorship laws.

These sources reveal that Iran is engaged in a campaign of precision strikes, aimed at keeping American planes on the ground, and more importantly, crippling the US’ cutting-edge ballistic missile defense network.

How many bases does the US have in the Middle East?

The US operates a network of 19 permanent and temporary military bases throughout the Middle East, with the largest – Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar – hosting 10,000 troops and serving as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM).

©  US Congress

The eight permanent US installations are located in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, and as of mid-2025, there are between 40,000 and 50,000 American troops stationed in the region at any one time.

These bases surround Iran from the west and south, and are currently bolstered by the presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford in the Persian Gulf. These nuclear-powered aircraft carriers have a combined staff of more than 10,000, and carry more than 130 fighter jets.

All of the US bases in the region have been described as “legitimate targets” by the Iranian military, and facilities in six countries have already been hit by Iranian missiles and drones.

Which US bases have been hit?

As of March 10, the following US bases and associated buildings have been struck by Iranian missiles and drones, often more than once.

• Naval Support Activity, Bahrain (Headquarters of US Fifth Fleet)
• Manama, Bahrain (Multiple hotels housing US troops in the city)
• Erbil International Airport, Iraq (US base adjoining airport)
• Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan
• Ali Al-Salem Air Base, Kuwait
• Camp Buehring, Kuwait
• Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
• Mohammed Al-Ahmad Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait
• Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar
• Al-Dhafra Air Base, UAE
• Jebel Ali Port, UAE
• Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia

What’s on Iran’s target list? 

The strikes on American air bases serve the immediate goals of reducing US ability to conduct air sorties over Iran, and forcing it to move air assets further away, from where they must rely on aerial refueling to continue their attacks. Data from FlightRadar24 showed a mass exodus of KC-135 Stratotankers from Prince Sultan Air Base on March 9, after a combined drone and missile attack the night before. A rudimentary calculation by analyst Anusar Farooqui suggests that the US ability to fly missions over Iran has been degraded by 35-50%.

A screenshot from FlightRadar24 shows multiple US KC-135 Stratotankers departing Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, March 9, 2026

Iran’s campaign has focused heavily on blinding the US military and crippling its THAAD missile defense network. An Iranian Shahed drone slammed into an AN/TPS-59 radar dome at Naval Support Activity in Bahrain on the first day of the conflict, obliterating the $300 million system. Installed in 2007, the radar was described by Lockheed Martin at the time as “the only 360-degree coverage mobile radar in the world certified to detect tactical ballistic missiles.”

Radar domes were also destroyed at Camp Arifjan and Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and at Al-Dhafra in the UAE, according to satellite images and video footage. At Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a $1 billion AN/FPS-132 early warning radar installation,one of only six worldwide, was hit by an Iranian ballistic missile on February 28, according to Qatar’s defense ministry.

By destroying the radar equipment, Iran has hampered the US and Israel’s ability to track incoming ballistic missiles. The consequences can be seen in Israel, where by March 6, Iranian missiles were hitting Tel Aviv less than three minutes after sirens sounded, instead of the usual eight minutes.

In at least four locations – Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and two Emirati-run bases in the UAE – Iran has hit AN/TPY-2 radar systems linked to US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries. Satellite images show that in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, these $500 million systems were completely destroyed.

Satellite footage shows a destroyed AN/TPY-2 THAAD radar at Muwaffaq Salti Base in Jordan, March 5, 2026 ©  Airbus

Despite a drop in missile launches from Iran, the destruction of the US’ early-warning and THAAD infrastructure suggests that a higher percentage of Iranian missiles will hit their targets in the coming days and weeks.

How is the damage being covered up?

The US has adopted a policy of silence and denial, with the Pentagon refusing to answer press requests. Asked about damage to THAAD stations, the Department of War told CNN that “due to operations security, we are not going to comment on the status of specific capabilities in the region.” 

Five US Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, the WSJ reported on Saturday, citing two American officials.

The tankers were hit during an Iranian missile strike on the Saudi base in recent days, the officials said, while US Central Command (CENTCOM) declined to comment.

Earlier on Friday an American KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, killing all six crew members on board, CENTCOM confirmed.

CENTCOM stated in a post on X that four crew members had initially been confirmed dead and that rescue efforts were continuing. In a later update, the command said all six personnel were “now confirmed deceased.”

“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” it added.

Satellite imaging firms Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies have both paused the release of footage from the region. Planet Labs, whose images revealed damage to bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, said that it would place a 14-day delay on new images to “prevent adversarial actors endangering the safety of allied and NATO-partner personnel.” 

The Gulf monarchies have taken a more draconian approach, with the UAE threatening fines and jail time for anyone sharing videos of Iranian attacks, and Bahraini prosecutors reportedly seeking the death penalty for recording a video of a malfunctioning US Patriot air defense system hitting a residential area and allegedly killing more than 30 civilians. CENTCOM and the Bahraini government have claimed that an Iranian drone was responsible for the deaths.

How many US troops have been killed?

As of March 10, eight US troops have been confirmed killed since hostilities began. Six died in an Iranian attack on Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, when a missile hit what US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described as a “tactical operation center that was fortified.” One soldier was killed in a missile attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to the Pentagon, while another supposedly died in a “non-combat related” incident at Camp Buehring in Kuwait.

Around 140 American troops have been wounded since February 28, with eight of them 

Tehran claims that the true US death toll is significantly higher. In an interview on March 7, Iranian Supreme National Security Council chief Ali Larijani accused US President Donald Trump of “lying” about the casualty count, predicting that the US would “probably later increase the number of deaths gradually under the pretext of accidents or something of the sort.” 

Trump and Hegseth have both warned the American public that more deaths are likely. “Things like this don’t happen without casualties,” Hegseth said on March 8. “There will be more casualties.”

Who shot down the US F-15s?

Three US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait on March 2, in what CENTCOM called “an apparent friendly fire incident.” All six crew members ejected successfully, and CENTCOM maintained afterwards that they were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses” during active combat with Iranian jets.

RT analyzed the incident in depth and concluded that this version of events was likely untrue. No telltale trails from Kuwait’s Patriot, HAWK, NASAMS, or Spada 2000 interceptors were visible in video footage of the incident, while the damage to the jets – which were hit near their engines – did not match up with the missiles fired by these systems.

Instead, it is more likely that the F-15s were brought down with heat-seeking missiles, fired either from Iranian or Kuwaiti fighter jets. Unconfirmed video footage suggests that at least one of the planes may have been shot down by a Kuwaiti F-18.