WASHINGTON – The State Department’s chief legal counsel has defended President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, characterizing the strikes as justified self-defense rather than the initiation of a new conflict.
Legal Adviser Reed Rubinstein released his defense just days before a May 1 deadline requiring the Trump administration to either secure Congressional authorization for the military action under the 1973 War Powers Act or bring operations to a close.
Joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes commenced on February 28, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and significant portions of the nation’s leadership during the opening assault. Trump characterized the strikes at the time as necessary to eliminate Iranian missile capabilities, destroy the country’s naval forces, and block Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The president also called on Iranian citizens to revolt against their government. The military action occurred just days after unsuccessful diplomatic negotiations between American and Iranian representatives.
Numerous international legal scholars contend the strikes violated the United Nations Charter, which prohibits member nations from using military force against other states unless authorized by the U.N. Security Council or conducted in legitimate self-defense.
Rubinstein argued that America was “engaged in this conflict at the request of and in the collective self-defense of its Israeli ally, as well as in the exercise of the United States’ own inherent right of self-defense.” He pointed to what he termed “Iran’s malign aggression over decades” dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, including proxy attacks on American forces and Israel, Iranian missile strikes on Israel in 2024, and Tehran’s nuclear weapons development efforts.
“In truth, the United States is acting well within the recognized contours of international law relating to the use of force and self-defense,” Rubinstein stated.
Tehran has consistently rejected Western allegations that it seeks to develop nuclear weapons.
The legal justification, titled “Operation Epic Fury and International Law,” appeared on the State Department’s website Tuesday but was not distributed to news outlets or shared on official social media platforms, unlike typical department communications.
Tehran retaliated against the American and Israeli strikes by firing missiles and deploying drones against U.S. installations, regional allies, and commercial shipping, disrupting the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. The conflict, which triggered energy market volatility and broader economic concerns, has been on hold since an April 8 ceasefire agreement.
Public opinion surveys indicate Americans oppose the military action, as citizens have experienced sharp increases in fuel, food, and consumer goods prices over the past two months. A Reuters/Ipsos survey published Friday revealed that most Americans hold Trump responsible for rising gasoline costs, which could hurt his Republican Party in November’s midterm elections.
More than 100 international legal experts issued a statement this month declaring the conflict’s initiation “a clear violation” of U.N. Charter provisions. “Despite the Trump administration’s varied and sometimes conflicting claims to the contrary, there is no evidence that Iran posed an imminent threat that could ground a self-defense claim,” the experts wrote, citing incidents including the bombing of a girls’ school believed to be a U.S. strike, killings of non-military political figures, and threats against civilian infrastructure.
Rubinstein maintained that the late February campaign represented “part of an armed conflict with Iran that has been ongoing for years” and argued it was not necessary to determine whether an Iranian attack on America or its allies was imminent.
“The U.S. has acted well within its international law obligations with respect to its use of force since operations began in late February. Iran, by contrast, has acted as any reasonable observer would have expected – lashing out against its neighbors, targeting Israeli civilians, murdering its own people, unlawfully closing the Strait of Hormuz, and wreaking havoc throughout the region,” Rubinstein declared.
Congressional staff members suggested Rubinstein’s statement was released to preempt the May 1 War Powers Act deadline. The legislation requires presidents to terminate military operations after 60 days unless Congress grants authorization to continue. Presidents may request a 30-day extension by providing written certification to Congress that continued military action remains necessary.
Democratic lawmakers, who hold minority status in both congressional chambers, have repeatedly attempted to pass resolutions ending the conflict until Trump secures congressional approval, but nearly all Republicans have voted to block these efforts.
