The Law Show - When is it legal to go to war?
Download When is it legal to go to war?
Under international law, when can a country declare war on another?
Was it legal for Israel and the United States to have carried out "pre-emptive" airstrikes across most of Iran’s provinces, which started the war? The USA says the attacks were justfied, because of an imminent threat from Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel claims it acted in self-defence.
The Israeli President went further - telling the BBC that focusing on the legality of the war instead of regional security is "mind-boggling" to him.
And what of Iran's response? Was it reasonable under international law? In the last few weeks, practically all its Gulf-state neighbours have been targeted, as well as its drones or missiles landing in Syria, Cyprus, Turkey and Azerbajan.
So does the Iranian retalliation justify the American and Israeli attacks under international law?
And if any country breaks international laws - are there any real consequences?
Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan
Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles
Editor: Tom Bigwood
Contributors:
Susan Breau, Professor of International law at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London
Christian Henderson, Professor of International Law, University of Sussex
Éamon Chawke, intellectual property, data protection and commercial law solicitor, Briffa Legal
Published on Wednesday, 18th March 2026.
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