Belgium: US-Israel Strikes on Iran Breach International Law

Belgium has formally questioned the legality of the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran, with Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stating that the way the action was conducted “does not meet” international law standards, while urging restraint and a return to diplomacy.

Speaking to broadcaster RTBF on Monday, Prevot said Belgium intends to remain “an unwavering defender of international law.” He added: “it must be acknowledged that the way the action was conducted does not meet its standards.”

When pressed on whether Belgium condemns the intervention, Prevot avoided direct language of condemnation but emphasized the function of international law. “Above all, it is meant to protect peoples, their rights, and freedoms,” he said, adding that “one cannot say that Iran is a model student.”

The U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Saturday, killing several senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has since responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and regional countries hosting U.S. assets.

Prevot described it as regrettable that “diplomacy was unable to achieve the expected results,” and called for de-escalation and for weapons to be set aside “as quickly as possible.” He said Belgium’s objective is “to genuinely call for restraint, and for a return to respect for diplomacy and international law as soon as possible.”

His comments position Belgium among European states expressing concern about escalation, without endorsing Iran’s conduct.

Prevot also voiced concern over what he described as the diminished capacity of the United Nations to prevent or resolve conflicts. “We can see that the UN has, for some time now, been unable to serve as the place where conflicts are prevented or resolved proactively,” he said.

He warned against reducing the UN to an agency focused solely on human rights or climate issues, arguing that its core mandate includes conflict prevention.

Prevot cautioned that if multilateral institutions fail to function, alternative initiatives could emerge, referencing the “so-called Board of Peace launched by President Trump.”

Belgium, he said, continues to support multilateralism and the use of international law as primary tools to prevent armed confrontation.

With the conflict entering its third day since Saturday’s strikes, and Iran’s retaliatory operations ongoing, Belgium’s position highlights growing unease within parts of Europe about both the legality and the systemic implications of the current escalation.