International Warfare Redefined: The Iran Conflict and Erosion of Global Norms

Wed Mar 25 2026 10:05:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has shattered established norms of international warfare, challenging the existing global order and raising concerns of war crimes. Explore the implications of US-Israeli military actions and Iran’s responses amid a dramatic shift in international relations.

The current war involving Iran has disrupted long-standing norms of international conflict, as evidenced by the US-Israeli military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure and Tehran’s retaliatory threats against Gulf neighbors. Experts argue that these actions overshadow the established global order, with calls of aggression leveled against major powers involved. The conflict highlights the dangerous evolution from a rules-based system to a more chaotic international landscape, as fears rise over potential war crimes and the safety of civilians.

The US-Israeli attacks against Iran, and the threats against its energy infrastructure, as well as Tehran's retaliation on its Gulf neighbours underline how the norms of starting and escalating international wars have been upended.

US President Donald Trump has at least twice threatened to use overwhelming force against Iranian energy facilities. Last week, he said he would 'massively blow up' Iran's South Pars gas field if Iran further retaliated against Qatari energy sites. And on Saturday, he said the US would 'obliterate' Iran's 'various power plants, starting with the biggest one first' if its leaders did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

It comes amid mounting concern that the nature of this war is putting further, unprecedented strain on the global rules-based order.

Luis Moreno Ocampo, founding chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), said the global rules-based order was designed to protect civilians and prevent nations resorting to war other than in self-defence, or when approved by the UN Security Council.

He told the BBC that the war on Iran amounts to a crime of aggression under international law.

Moreno Ocampo also said Trump's threats to bomb Iranian power plants, as well as attacks by both Iran and Israel on energy infrastructure, do not amount to legitimate targets. He likened such strikes to Russia's attacks on energy sites in Ukraine which led to Russian officials being indicted by the ICC for alleged war crimes.

'The cases of Russia in Ukraine or the US in Iran or in Venezuela is… called a crime of aggression. That means the use of armed forces by a state against the sovereignty, the territorial integrity or the political independence of another state, that's it,' said Moreno Ocampo.

'Now we go [from the rules-based system] to the rule of the man, whatever today President Trump decides will be the rule. That's not a viable world,' he said.

In response, the White House called Moreno Ocampo's statement 'ridiculous'. It said Trump was taking 'bold action to eliminate the threat posed by a rogue, terrorist regime'.

Rights groups say attacking Iranian power plants could have a devastating impact on civilian life, given Iranians are already suffering from power outages with electricity often needed to pump water to homes.

During the war missiles have also landed close to nuclear facilities in Iran and Israel. The World Health Organisation said that the conflict was at a 'perilous stage' and called for restraint.

This evolving conflict poses critical questions about the future of international warfare, legality, and the responsibilities of nations in protecting civilians.