Pugwash leadership on the U.S. and Israeli military attack on Iran

The Leadership of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs expresses unequivocal condemnation of the military attack launched by the United States of America and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which constitutes a flagrant breach of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the most basic principles of humanity.

While recognizing the legitimate right of self-defence, we remind all parties of their binding obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilian lives and critical infrastructure. We call for the immediate cessation of military operations by all sides. Their continuation will only result in further tragic loss of life and risk provoking grave and unforeseen global consequences.

The deliberate resort to force represents a war of choice not necessity. As in June 2025 the attack comes amidst a process of long-overdue diplomatic engagement between the US and Iran, purportedly to resolve outstanding questions on the Iranian nuclear program. Most critically, as this latest attack has unfolded it has become clear that Iran’s nuclear program is not the central point of contention or objective for launching military strikes. As we urged in our letters to each President on February 27, “All states possess legitimate security interests; however, the pursuit of those interests must be balanced with the shared responsibility to preserve regional stability and international peace.”

The Pugwash Leadership is gravely concerned by these threats to regional and global stability from nuclear-armed states. By launching attacks against non-nuclear weapon states, these nuclear powers have shattered the agreed security arrangements of the non-proliferation regime. Such actions risk igniting a new, uncontrollable wave of proliferation, as non-nuclear states may now find a desperate justification to acquire nuclear weapons to safeguard their own survival. The rule of law, the authority of multilateral institutions, and the fragile international order are increasingly under threat amid a broader trend of military action in lieu of authentic diplomacy and meaningful negotiation. As concerned global citizens, we warn in the strongest terms against the normalization of war as an instrument of policy.

The present situation stands in stark opposition to the founding ideals of Pugwash, which are rooted in dialogue in service of cooperative security and the prevention of war. We reiterate that diplomacy and adherence to international law remain the only viable path toward lasting peace and security.

The Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, an international organization of scientists and public figures founded in 1957 dedicated to reducing the risk of armed conflict and seeking solutions to global security threats, particularly the elimination of nuclear weapons, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995.