Serbian president condemns US strike on Iran as violation of international law

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has condemned the recent US military strike on Iran, calling it a clear breach of international law.

Despite his criticism, Vučić emphasized Serbia’s continued pursuit of a strategic partnership with the United States and reiterated his country’s commitment to peace in the Middle East, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“We seek the closest possible relations with the United States - a true strategic partnership. We are a small country. Did they violate international law? Absolutely,” Vučić said during a press conference following a session of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff. “We’ve spoken openly about similar issues in the past, because small countries must insist on the respect for international law and the UN Charter.”

The Serbian leader cautioned that such unilateral actions by powerful states erode trust in global legal norms and weaken the foundation for holding other nations accountable for breaches of sovereignty. He pointed to what he sees as three major consequences of the US strike on Iran: “First, in today’s world, there is no longer any law, justice, or consistent rules. Second, how can the West criticize Russia or others for violating territorial integrity, when it has done the same? Third, Serbia’s own territorial integrity was violated 26 years ago—something many in the international community now seem to forget.”

Vučić also expressed disappointment that Israel and Iran had failed to resolve their disputes through diplomacy, noting that both nations have longstanding ties with Serbia. “Iran never recognized Kosovo’s independence but supported a UN resolution against Serbia. Israel recognized Kosovo but didn’t back the anti-Serb resolution,” he explained. Addressing the domestic impact, Vučić assured the public that Serbia would remain committed to tolerance: “There are no anti-Semitic or anti-Islamic sentiments in Serbian society - and we will not allow such attitudes to take root.” 

On June 13, Israel launched a military operation against Iran. Within 24 hours, the Islamic Republic responded with a retaliatory strike. The exchange of attacks has continued, with both sides reporting casualties and damage to various targets. According to official sources, both Iran and Israel have acknowledged that several facilities were hit in the ongoing conflict. In a further escalation, on June 22, US forces carried out airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites - Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan - raising fears of a broader regional confrontation.

By Naila Huseynova