Brussels, Belgium – March 2, 2026 – Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot on Monday expressed serious reservations about the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran, stating that the manner in which the strikes were conducted does not align with the standards of international law. Speaking to Belgian public broadcaster RTBF, Prévot underscored Belgium’s longstanding commitment to upholding the rule of law in global affairs while calling for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomatic channels.
“Belgium has long been, and intends to remain, an unwavering defender of international law. In this regard, it must be acknowledged that the way the action was conducted does not meet its standards,” Prévot said during the interview. When pressed on whether Belgium formally condemns the intervention, he refrained from issuing a direct condemnation, instead emphasizing the core purpose of international law. “Above all, it is meant to protect peoples, their rights, and freedoms. In this respect, one cannot say that Iran is a model student,” he added, referring to Iran’s record on human rights and regional activities.
The minister described the failure of diplomacy as “regrettable,” noting that the current escalation underscores the inability of diplomatic efforts to prevent the crisis. “It is regrettable that diplomacy was unable to achieve the expected results,” Prévot stated. He urged all parties to set aside weapons “as quickly as possible” and prioritize restraint. “Our aim is to genuinely call for restraint, and for a return to respect for diplomacy and international law as soon as possible,” he stressed.
Prévot also voiced deep concern over the apparent paralysis of the United Nations in addressing the conflict. He warned that the UN risks being reduced to an organization focused primarily on human rights and climate issues, rather than fulfilling its foundational role in preventing and resolving major armed conflicts. “We can see that the UN has, for some time now, been unable to serve as the place where conflicts are prevented or resolved proactively,” he observed. He reiterated that while the UN must continue addressing these global challenges, it should not be confined to them alone, as doing so could create space for alternative, unilateral initiatives.
In a pointed reference, Prévot highlighted the so-called “Board of Peace” initiative launched by US President Donald Trump as an example of new mechanisms emerging in the absence of effective multilateral action. “Otherwise, there is a strong temptation for new initiatives to emerge, such as the so-called Board of Peace launched by President Trump,” he said. The minister reaffirmed Belgium’s strong support for multilateralism, international law, and the preventive role of established international institutions, stating that these tools are needed “now more than ever” to avert further escalation.
The Belgian position reflects broader European unease over the rapid intensification of the Middle East conflict, now in its fifth day. The US and Israel launched large-scale airstrikes—codenamed Operation Epic Fury—on February 28, 2026, targeting Iranian nuclear-related facilities, ballistic missile infrastructure, air defenses, naval assets, command structures, and leadership compounds. The operation resulted in the confirmed deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous senior officials, along with at least 555 reported fatalities according to the Iranian Red Crescent, including significant civilian casualties from strikes on or near populated areas.
Iran has responded with waves of retaliatory ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory and US military installations across the Gulf region, including bases in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed successful strikes on key US facilities, with satellite imagery confirming extensive damage in several locations. Civilian infrastructure and populations in host countries have also been affected by falling debris and defensive intercepts.
Belgium’s comments align with calls for de-escalation issued by other nations, including Türkiye, India, and Russia, which have engaged in active diplomacy to urge restraint and a ceasefire. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye expressed sorrow over civilian suffering in Iran and pledged intensified diplomatic efforts, while Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the US-Israeli strikes as “unprovoked aggression” in calls with Arab leaders and offered mediation assistance.
US President Donald Trump has described the campaign as progressing ahead of schedule, projecting a duration of four to five weeks or longer if necessary to eliminate Iran’s missile capabilities, naval forces, and nuclear ambitions. He has acknowledged US casualties, including four service members killed in regional attacks, and vowed to continue with “ferocious, unyielding resolve.”
As the conflict risks drawing in more actors and causing wider humanitarian and economic fallout, Belgium’s Foreign Minister emphasized the need to restore respect for international norms and multilateral frameworks. Prévot’s statement highlights the growing divide between Western allies over the legality and consequences of the military operation, even as the fighting continues unabated and diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction.
