In a speech at Manchester University on March 23, 2026, UK Attorney General Lord Hermer defended the UK's adherence to international law and NATO membership, framing it as in the national interest. According to the Daily Mail, Lord Hermer is expected to say there is no contradiction between supporting international law and human rights and maintaining a strong military. S.
S. forces based in Britain to strike Iranian targets in the Straits of Hormuz. S.
President Donald Trump. Trump warned Iran it had 48 hours to allow cargo through a shipping lane 'without threat' or he would 'obliterate' their power plants. The UN says Trump's threat to obliterate Iranian power plants could be war crimes.
S. against Iran. S.
Allow cargo through a shipping lane without threat or I will obliterate your power plants.
and Israel on Iran on February 28, 2026, which reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials, with the stated aim of regime change. S. bases in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, causing civilian casualties and damage.
According to reports, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has expanded regionally, with attacks in Lebanon and Gulf states, and the sinking of an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. Civilian casualties have been severe, with conflicting reports on the numbers.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, as of March 3, 2026, 787 people were killed in Iran, including 165 in a school strike in Minab. However, Iranian authorities report that by mid-March 2026, over 3,100 people were killed in Iran, including 1,300 civilians and 200 children. In Israel, Iranian strikes killed at least 14 civilians, though other reports mention 'scores' of casualties.
S. and Israel targeted Iranian nuclear and energy facilities, including Kharg Island and South Pars. Iran's military capabilities include Russian-supplied aircraft.
Targeting our plants would lead to destruction of energy infrastructure across the entire region.
The war lacks UN Security Council authorization or self-defense grounds under international law, according to legal experts. The UK government's attorney general has raised concerns about the legality of UK involvement. The UK's position, as articulated by Lord Hermer, emphasizes a rules-based order and contrasts with Trump's unilateral threats.
S. amid escalating violence. The conflict has drawn global attention due to its potential to destabilize the Middle East and impact global energy supplies, with the Strait of Hormuz being a critical chokepoint for oil shipments.
Legal analysts note that the absence of UN authorization raises questions about the conflict's legitimacy under international law, which Lord Hermer's address seeks to reinforce. S. forces highlights the delicate balance between military cooperation and legal accountability.
As casualties mount and regional tensions flare, the international community watches closely, with calls for diplomatic resolutions growing louder.