Ayatollah Khamenei orders legal action against US, Israel for war crimes

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei directs the judiciary to pursue domestic and international cases over military strikes, citing public statements by American and Israeli leaders as legal evidence.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the country’s judiciary to initiate comprehensive legal action against the United States and Israel for war crimes.

Mojtaba Khamenei directed judicial authorities to pursue effective legal avenues at both domestic and international levels. The objective of the legal campaign is to restore the rights of the country and its citizens who have been affected by US and Israeli military strikes against Iran since last year.

The Supreme Leader asserted that public statements made by certain American and Israeli leaders amount to an open admission of criminal responsibility. According to him, these official remarks provide a solid legal foundation for Iran to demand the restoration of its national rights.

He emphasised that the responsibilities of the judiciary extend far beyond individual legal cases, encompassing the protection of public rights, legal freedoms, the establishment of justice, the eradication of corruption, the strict enforcement of laws, and the safeguarding of national interests. He noted that the effective execution of these duties will significantly reinforce public trust in the judicial system.

Mojtaba Khamenei stated that hundreds, if not thousands, of distinct legal cases could be formally established based on the casualties, injuries, and infrastructural damage inflicted upon the country during the military attacks on Iran in June 2025 and February 2026.

The Supreme Leader specifically highlighted the killings of children in Minab and Lamard, alongside targeted strikes on medical centres and public service facilities. He categorised the resulting deaths, which spanned from newborn infants to elderly citizens, as serious war crimes.

He added that because some American and Israeli leaders have openly admitted to these operations or expressed pride in them, their own statements serve as binding legal evidence that further strengthens Iran’s international claims.

The legal measures, he concluded, will also serve as a vital deterrent to help prevent similar military actions and hostile incidents in the future.