Twelve independent United Nations human rights experts have condemned ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran and Lebanon, describing them as “blatant violations of international law.”

In a strongly worded statement, the experts warned that the escalating conflict could engulf the wider Middle East in catastrophic violence and set a dangerous precedent of impunity for powerful nations.

“The unprovoked attacks by the United States and Israel, conducted while negotiations were ongoing and with the implicit or explicit support of other states, are illegal and constitute acts of aggression,” the experts said.

They also criticized U.S. calls for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and regime change, cautioning that such demands risk prolonging the conflict and worsening human suffering.

“No human rights violations, anywhere, justify unlawful interference in the sovereignty of a UN Member State or an illegal military attack,” the experts added.

Citing specific incidents, they called for an independent probe into potential war crimes, including the bombing of a girls’ school in Iran that killed at least 180 students, strikes on oil refineries causing environmental damage, and attacks on critical desalination facilities.

While affirming Iran’s right to self-defense, the experts stressed that retaliatory strikes on civilian infrastructure—including residential buildings and desalination plants in neighboring Gulf states—also violate international humanitarian law and must cease immediately.

Turning to Lebanon, the statement condemned Israel’s escalation, highlighting the forced displacement of over 700,000 civilians in southern Lebanon and southern Beirut, which, combined with indiscriminate bombing, may constitute war crimes.

The experts lamented the UN Security Council’s failure to act, warning that this inaction “pushes the world closer to the brink of catastrophe.”

They called for an immediate ceasefire and urged an international peace conference to resolve the crisis and chart a path for regional stability.