A recent report from the scientific services of the German parliament has declared that the military actions against Iran, carried out by the United States and Israel, violate international law. The report, published on Sunday, emphasizes that these attacks breach the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force, as they neither fall under the right to self-defense nor have they received authorization from the United Nations Security Council.
Commissioned by members of the Bundestag representing The Left party, the 12-page document also explores potential legal repercussions for Germany. It scrutinizes whether the utilization of US military bases on German soil, particularly the Ramstein Air Base located in southwestern Germany, could be interpreted as providing assistance, thereby implicating Germany under international law. The report concludes that depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the use of these bases, such responsibility cannot be ruled out.
Despite these concerns, the extent to which Ramstein Air Base has been involved in the attacks remains unclear. Ramstein serves as the primary hub for US Air Force operations across Europe and beyond. Notably, since the conflict began on February 28, Spain has prohibited the use of two US military bases in its southern region for related operations. In contrast, Germany has not imposed any bans on the use of its bases at Ramstein and Spangdahlem.
Earlier this month, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius stated that the use of military bases within Germany is governed by agreements and treaties recognized under international law. He further clarified that no restrictions would be placed on their utilization in this context.
