Foreign minister: Attacks violate international law but ‘justified for global security’
Foreign minister Maxime Prévot described the American and Israeli strikes on Iran as a breach of international law but “justified for global security” on Monday during an interview on RTBF’s La Première. The US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury in Iran on Saturday morning.
“As a defender of international law, Belgium must acknowledge that the way in which this operation was conducted does not comply with the norms,” said Prévot, of Les Engagés. At the same time, he pointed to the repressive nature of the Iranian regime, which he said had cost tens of thousands of civilians their lives.
“International law must, above all, protect peoples and their rights and freedoms. In that respect, we cannot say that Iran is a model student,” he added.
Prévot highlighted that principles of international law “must be weighed against the principle of reality”. After years of diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to halt its ballistic and nuclear programmes, he said, “the risk of a security crisis and widespread conflict in the region had to be avoided”.
Asked whether the US-Israeli intervention was justified in terms of international security, Prévot replied: “I think so.” He underscored, however, that military action must remain “the last resort if diplomacy fails” and called for de-escalation, respect for international law, and a return to diplomacy “as soon as possible.”
Diplomatic caution over ambassador
Prévot also addressed calls from MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez to expel the Iranian ambassador to Belgium and cancel a prisoner exchange agreement.
“We must resist the temptation of easy one-liners,” Prévot said. He said expelling the ambassador would jeopardise Belgian diplomatic staff in Tehran at a time when their presence is crucial to support and protect Belgian nationals in Iran.
“At a time when we must do everything we can to guarantee the safety of our compatriots, it would be irresponsible to take measures that weaken our ability to help them,” he said.
Bouchez has argued that Belgium and the EU should support the US and Israel in actions aimed at toppling the Iranian regime, saying that international law “should not serve to protect authoritarian regimes.” He asked: “Where was international law when Iran murdered tens of thousands of its own innocent citizens? This outside intervention didn't come out of nowhere; there was first a popular uprising supported by foreign powers, in this case Israel and the US.”
Belgian tourists stranded
Prévot also confirmed that 26,000 Belgians are currently in the wider region, including 2,450 tourists stranded in the Middle East, around half of whom are in Dubai. Evacuation is not possible for now, he said, as airspace remains closed in much of the region.
Talks with other European countries are under way to assess when departures might resume. Prévot urged Belgian travellers to remain patient and comply with local safety regulations.
Belgian Foreign minister Maxime Prévot © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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