Belgium says US-Israel action on Iran 'does not meet' international law standards
'We can see that UN has, for some time now, been unable to serve as place where conflicts are prevented or resolved proactively,' Belgian foreign minister says
ISTANBUL
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot on Monday said that the US and Israel's joint operation against Iran does not meet the standards of international law.
"Belgium has long been, and intends to remain, an unwavering defender of international law. In this regard, it must be acknowledged that the way the action was conducted does not meet its standards," Prevot told broadcaster RTBF.
When asked if Belgium condemns the US-Israel intervention in Iran, he only stressed the importance of recalling the purpose of international law. "Above all, it (international law) is meant to protect peoples, their rights, and freedoms. In this respect, one cannot say that Iran is a model student."
He further said it is regrettable that “diplomacy was unable to achieve the expected results."
Prevot called for de-escalation and setting aside the weapons "as quickly as possible."
"Our aim is to genuinely call for restraint, and for a return to respect for diplomacy and international law as soon as possible," he added.
Prevot also voiced concern over the absence of UN action in the conflict, warning that it should not be reduced to an international agency focused merely on human rights and climate issues.
“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.
Prevot reiterated that while the UN must address these issues, it should not be confined to them alone.
"Otherwise, there is a strong temptation for new initiatives to emerge, such as the so-called Board of Peace launched by (US) President (Donald) Trump. Belgium supports multilateralism, international law, and the actions these tools can take to help prevent conflicts now more than ever," he added.
US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Saturday, killing several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In response, Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as regional countries that are home to US assets.
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