Targeting Civilian Facilities is a Crime... and Iran Bears Responsibility
There is no crime more dangerous than converting civilian facilities into targets of aggression, because those who target power and water stations, and vital infrastructure, are not attacking silent structures; rather, they are attacking the lives, security, and stability of civilians, thereby undermining the foundations of regional security and international peace.
Therefore, targeting civilian objects constitutes a complete crime, criminalized by international law and international humanitarian law, warranting condemnation and accountability.
From this perspective, the official statement by the State of Kuwait was decisive in holding Iran fully responsible for this aggression and its repercussions, affirming that Kuwait’s sovereignty and national security constitute a red line that tolerates no infringement, and that the State reserves its legitimate right to take all measures permitted under international law to defend its territory and assets.
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Targeting power stations, water desalination plants, and oil and service facilities is a direct assault on the foundations of life and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, which mandate respect for state sovereignty and prohibit targeting civilian objects and vital infrastructure under any pretext.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasized that the repeated targeting of vital infrastructure reveals a systematic aggressive approach aimed at civilian infrastructure and objects, endangering the lives and safety of civilians in clear violation of international law and the UN Charter. It has held Iran fully responsible for this aggression and its repercussions, demanding an immediate halt to these attacks.
Targeting civilian facilities is not merely an attack on a specific state, but an assault on the principles underpinning the international system, which emphasize the protection of civilians and sparing them from the ravages of conflict. When power and water stations and vital facilities become targets of attacks, the message does not affect only one country; rather, it threatens the security and stability of the region and opens the door to chaos from which no one benefits.
Iran is today called upon to bear legal, political, and moral responsibility for this aggression. Commitment to good neighborliness and respect for state sovereignty is not a choice, but an obligation imposed by the rules of international law and UN charters.
Furthermore, the international community is called upon not to confine itself to statements of condemnation, but to adopt a firm stance that ensures accountability for the aggressor and prevents international law from becoming mere text without practical application.
From an Islamic perspective, aggression against lives, property, and public facilities contradicts the objectives of Islamic Sharia, which came to preserve life and wealth and to ensure security among people.
Allah the Almighty said: “And do not commit aggression, indeed, Allah does not like aggressors.” And He, the Exalted, said: “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah.” Islam calls for peace, justice, and respect for rights, and rejects aggression in all its forms, especially when it targets civilians and facilities upon which people’s interests depend.
In contrast, the State of Kuwait reaffirms its commitment to international legitimacy and its reserved right to take all measures permitted under international law to defend its security, sovereignty, and vital infrastructure. This is an inherent right guaranteed by Article 51 of the UN Charter to any state subjected to aggression.
Kuwait’s security is not merely a local concern; it is an integral part of Gulf security and regional stability. Any attack on its civilian infrastructure constitutes a direct threat to regional security, necessitating a unified Gulf and international stance that affirms national sovereignty and respect for international law as a red line that must not be crossed. Those who attack civilians and infrastructure must bear full responsibility for their actions.
May God protect Kuwait, its leadership and people, and perpetuate upon it the blessings of security and safety. May He safeguard our homeland and all Gulf states from all harm, and inspire the international community to stand united in confronting any aggression that targets the security of nations and the stability of their peoples.
