Preventive War and the U.S. Attack on Iran, by Dr. Edward Feser

Last week I argued that the U.S. should stay out of Israel’s war with Iran. America has now entered the war by bombing three facilities associated with Iran’s nuclear program. Is this action morally justifiable in light of traditional just war doctrine?

War aims?

Let us note, first, that much depends on exactly what the U.S. intends to accomplish. A week ago, before the attack, President Trump warned that Tehran should be evacuated, called for Iran’s unconditional surrender, and stated that the U.S. would not kill Iran’s Supreme Leader “for now”—thereby insinuating that it may yet do so at some future time. …

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