Full Breakdown
Iran’s Supreme Leader Calls for International Legal Action Against the United States and Israel
6/29/2026, 10:36:56 PM
Context of the 2025–2026 Conflict
In June 2025 a twelve-day war between Iran and Israel was followed by U.S.–Israeli strikes in February 2026, which Tehran calls the “Second Imposed War” and “Third Imposed War.” The conflict spread to Gulf, prompting attacks on U.S. bases and a Hormuz closure. A cease-fire on April 8 and a June 18 memorandum of understanding have been tested by renewed strikes in late June.
Key Figures and Institutions
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued the directive, referencing the late Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian Judiciary is tasked with filing cases against the United States and Israel. Pakistan mediated the cease-fire and the June 18 memorandum.
Alleged War Crimes and Casualties
Iran cites two major attacks. In Minab, Hormozgan Province, a U.S. missile struck the Shajarat Tayebah elementary school for girls, killing about 170 students and teachers. In Lamerd, Fars Province, a U.S. missile hit the Shahid Naimi sports hall during a junior-volleyball practice, killing at least 24 civilians and injuring over 130. Tehran also alleges attacks on medical facilities, newborns and the elderly, creating “hundreds or thousands” of legal files.
Supreme Leader Orders Legal Pursuit
In a message released on the Beheshti martyrdom anniversary, Khamenei called the pursuit of rights violated by “international criminals and arrogant and aggressive powers” a priority. He ordered the judiciary to file domestic and international cases, treat each incident as an independent legal file, and use admissions by U.S. and Israeli officials as evidence. The directive extends investigations from the 2025 war to the 2026 conflict and calls for judicial reform to ensure faster, transparent proceedings.
Criticism and Evidentiary Gaps
The sources provide no independent verification of casualty figures or responses from the United States, Israel, or neutral observers, leaving the factual basis of the alleged war crimes and the legal standing of the proposed prosecutions uncorroborated.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The criminals must be held by the collar and brought to justice for their criminal acts,” — Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Supreme Leader
- “What is certain is that the criminals must be brought to justice and made to face the consequences of their criminal acts,” — Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Supreme Leader
- “What is definite is that these criminals must be seized by the collar and brought to justice for their criminal deeds,” — Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Supreme Leader
Prospects for Legal Action
Iran’s judiciary will file the cases in national courts and seek jurisdiction before bodies such as the International Court of Justice. The cease-fire and June 18 memorandum, though fragile, remain the de-escalation framework, while Tehran’s legal push aims to deter future aggression and bolster public confidence in the courts.
