The Inside Story Podcast Have Israel, the US, and Iran broken international law during the war?
Mar 23, 2026
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Imminence Is Central To Lawful Self Defense
- Sir Geoffrey Nice says the U.S.-Israel attack can only be lawful if there was an imminent threat of attack.
- He notes no evidence of such imminence has been provided despite repeated requests, making the strike prima facie unlawful.
UN Charter Limits Use Of Force To Narrow Exceptions
- Brian Finucane explains Article 2.4 bans use of force, with Article 51 preserving narrow self-defense exceptions.
- He highlights US officials repeatedly failed to substantiate claims of an imminent threat when pressed on Capitol Hill.
Contextual Imminence Can Justify Preemptive Action
- Nicholas Tsagourias argues preemptive self-defense can be lawful against an imminent WMD or ballistic missile threat.
- He says imminence is contextual (means, nature, deterrence ability) and states need not publicly disclose all evidence.