Blatant violation of just war doctrine

PRESIDENT Masoud Pezeshkian’s presence at the 11-nation BRICS summit in Delhi frustrates President Donald Trump’s attempt to isolate Iran diplomatically and economically. In addition, the BRICS joint statement condemns the United States’ attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities, which reinforces the view that Washington has taken an apathetic approach toward ‘Just War Theory’, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Just War Theory/Doctrine refers to the historical body of rules and agreements that have applied in wars across the ages. In simple terms, just war is warfare justified by a moral or legal tradition. It is grounded in two tiers: Jus ad bellum (Justice before war), which lays down the conditions that morally justify starting a war. The second is Jus in bello (justice in war), which governs the conduct of soldiers during war, so that noncombatants, especially civilians, shall not be targeted.

In reality, the stronger party in the war deliberately ignored Just War Theory and opted for a brutal strategy to terrorize civilians, aiming to weaken the popular support of the masses for the ruling elite of the defending state. As a result, the US is now using both geostrategic and geoeconomic approaches to overwhelm Iran. Will Washington be able to accomplish its strategic objectives in the Middle East by violating Just War Theory? It’s difficult to predict. However, two developments during the last week have raised suspicions about the ethical conduct of U.S. foreign policy abroad.

President Masoud Pezeshkian questioned the combat-zone skills and courage of the US military. On September 13, 2026, he posted on X, “If Americans are warriors, let them face our valiant military forces. Why wage war on civilian infrastructure, food supplies and livelihoods? President Trump occasionally signaled a “boots on the ground” strategy in Iran. However, he seems reluctant to commit ground troops because he fears casualties. Strategic analysts pointed out that sending ground troops to Iran will have catastrophic consequences for the invading troops due to the country’s topography. Hence, the US is entirely dependent on air and sea strikes entailing civilian casualties, which are unjustifiable.

Another development, which is not soothing for the Trump administration, is the condemnation of the US military strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure at the 2026 BRICS summit held in Delhi, India. On September 12, 2026, the BRICS members unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration. It states, “We express serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the IAEA.”

The intergovernmental organization founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) has gradually evolved into a prominent economic bloc that balances the U.S.-led global geoeconomic system. It accounts for 40% of global gross domestic product (GDP). President Trump has described the bloc as “anti-American”. He imposed punitive tariffs on a few BRICS members.

BRICS aims ‘to foster communication and collaboration among its members, advance the shared interests of emerging market economies and developing nations and create a harmonious global community characterized by enduring peace and shared prosperity.’ The presence of China’s President Xi Jinping, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the recent BRICS meeting underscored the Group’s significance in a rapidly transforming world order. In addition, the joint statement from BRICS members sounds optimistic for supporters of Just War Theory and a fair international order.

President Xi indirectly condemned the US-Iran policy. He said, “As the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region continues to evolve, the war there has caused serious losses to people across the region” and undermined the common interests of the international community. Russian President Vladimir Putin also advocated a fairer, multipolar world order. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also endorsed (rhetorically) such principles for a peaceful world.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin need to act practically, not merely support these ideas rhetorically, to create a peaceful and prosperous world order. Neither Modi has been dealing fairly with India’s neighbors in South Asia, nor Putin is prepared to pursue Just War Theory in Ukraine. India’s aggression against Pakistan on May 7, 2025 was a blatant violation of the Just War Theory. To conclude, it seems imperative that Trump, Putin and Modi act rationally and endorse and honor Just War Theory for a peaceful multipolar world order.