Peace Boat strongly condemns the military attacks initiated against Iran today by Israel and the United States, and calls for their immediate cessation. We urge all parties concerned to exercise the utmost restraint.
Carrying out a preemptive military strike against another country is a clear violation of international law under any circumstances. As was the case last year, this latest military action is being conducted citing Iran’s nuclear development as the reason. However, diplomatic negotiations to reach a resolution of this issue were underway, and should continue. Conducting such attacks at this time serves only to push a solution to the nuclear issue further out of reach.
Both the United States and Israel are themselves nuclear-armed states. The United States, which possesses the largest nuclear forces in the world, bears the primary responsibility to advance nuclear disarmament, and has an obligation to guarantee the security of non-nuclear-weapon states. Israel should halt its military operations and fulfill its responsibility to provide accountability regarding its own nuclear program.
In the past, based on false reports that Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction, the United States and others disregarded international law, launching the war on Iraq. That war resulted in tremendous loss of life, and failed to resolve the underlying issues. Even more than 20 years later, the scars of war continue to afflict people and destabilize the region. The same grave error must not be repeated.
If these attacks continue, the lives of innocent civilians, including children, will be taken, and people’s livelihoods destroyed. The international community, including the Japanese government, should condemn the military attacks carried out by Israel and the United States, demand their immediate halt, and promote a peaceful resolution based on international law and diplomatic negotiations.
The war on Iran must be stopped immediately. Achieving peace in the Middle East, including in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, is an urgent priority, and securing humanitarian assistance is essential. To that end, the international community must stand united. Peace Boat will continue to make all efforts to fulfil our role as part of civil society.
February 28, 2026
Peace Boat
