The U.S. has just taken part in joint, large-scale attacks on Iran alongside Israel, and officials are openly describing it as “major combat operations” against Iranian targets. The attacks were not approved by Congress.

President Donald Trump has described this as a “massive and ongoing operation,” saying the goal is to neutralize Iran’s military capabilities and leadership targets and urging Iranians to “take over your government.”

U.S. officials say they are attacking Iran to remove “imminent” threats and stop Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon, but legal experts, many governments, and critics at home argue those claims are thin, contradictory, and amount to an unauthorized war for regime change.

International law experts point out Trump has not shown evidence of an imminent, specific attack that would legally justify preemptive force; they argue this looks like a preventive or punitive war, not self‑defense.