In an opinion for the Jewish Chronicle, CERL Advisory Council member Geoffrey Corn argues Israel was “doubly justified” in launching airstrikes on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities last month. Since the two countries have been engaged in an ongoing war since at least October 7, he contends, Israel did not need to meet the requirements for a state to use force as self-defense under international law. Additionally, the threat posed by Iran’s growing nuclear weapons program was both “grave” and “existential.”

Geoffrey S. Corn is the George R. Killam, Jr. Chair of Criminal Law and Director of the Center for Military Law and Policy at Texas Tech University School of Law. A retired U.S. Army Judge Advocate Officer, he served as the Army’s senior law of war advisor. He is also a member of the CERL Advisory Council. Read his bio here. 

The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of any organization or university.