The United States insists it attacked Iran to curb ¡°direct threats¡± from the Islamic republic, but legal experts say the dangers cited by Washington do not justify war under international law.

U.S. and Israeli forces launched a massive air campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, with Washington saying it aimed to curb nuclear and missile threats from Tehran. Yet the war has also decapitated the country¡¯s government, and President Donald Trump is now demanding ¡°unconditional surrender.¡±

The White House laid out Washington¡¯s justification for the war during a news conference this week.