Professor Imam Critiques UN's Ineffectiveness, Calls US Strikes on Iran Violation of International Law

Professor Mukhtar Imam, a Directing Staff at the National Institute for Security Studies and an expert in Political Science and International Relations, has voiced strong criticism regarding the United Nations' current role. He asserts that the UN's contributions to resolving recent crises have been limited to mere rhetoric, while also designating recent US strikes on Iran as a blatant disregard for established international legal frameworks.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Professor Imam highlighted the UN's perceived lack of concrete action. "The United Nations, as it stands, has, in recent times, offered nothing beyond just rhetoric. All we often hear from the UN are condemnations and statements regarding certain actions or inactions of states, which fundamentally undermines the very purpose for which the UN was established," he remarked.

He further elaborated on the organization's limitations and potential, stating, "Of course, we must understand its powers and enforcement capabilities are limited. However, it possesses instruments within its scope to ensure that all warring parties are brought back to the negotiation table, by invoking UN resolutions and ensuring the Security Council convenes immediately to nip the situation in the bud."

Professor Imam then turned his attention to the recent US-Israel strikes on Iran, which he unequivocally condemned. He described these actions as "a flagrant disregard and disabuse of international law, especially at a time when negotiations were ongoing. We were seeing a breakthrough at the highest level, given comments from Geneva and the Omani Foreign Minister. However, the United States and its ally Israel decided to take this action because this, for Trump, is the ‘endgame.’ The idea of attacking Iran and ensuring a regime change—which might not necessarily happen, as it didn’t in Iraq, Sudan, or Libya—is what he has always wanted. This action has plunged the entire Middle East region into a conflict where we do not know what the end will look like."

He further commented on the perceived contradiction between President Trump's promises and his actions, noting, "Trump made promises to end wars and discontinue regime change. However, we’re seeing the contrary—the man is even bypassing the powers of Congress to wage war. Regarding Iran’s actions, they are ensuring they strike those allied with the U.S. In international relations, if you open your country for another to set up a base, you are sending a message that you are an ally. Iran sees no other way to get to a country 7,000 miles away across the Atlantic than attacking bases in the Gulf States. As far as the legality is concerned, this is within the rules of engagement of the Vienna Convention and the Basel Treaty; what Iran has done doesn’t negate known international law."

Professor Imam also suggested that the current crisis extends beyond Iran's nuclear program. He characterized the US-Israel strikes as an excuse for intervention, stating, "This goes beyond nuclear capability. There was a breakthrough in diplomatic channels, yet Trump and Israel chose to strike now. Iran has said it doesn’t intend to build nuclear armaments, and no IAEA report has proven otherwise. If Trump really had the intention of diplomatic conversation, he would have allowed it to continue. This is just a pretext to go into Iran. Now, for the first time in a decade, we are hearing France say they will increase nuclear warheads—a new arms race is perhaps beginning."