Global South Condemns US-Israel War with Iran: 'Imperialistic in Nature'

Many countries in the Global South condemned the US and Israeli attack on Iran as a violation of international law. China stated that "openly assassinating the leader of a sovereign nation" is unacceptable. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, emphasizing that international law prohibits targeting heads of state. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa questioned the rationale of "preemptive defense," stating that self-defense is only permissible when under invasion. Brazil, Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia all criticized the attack for occurring amidst ongoing negotiations. Analysts suggest this is a war with an "imperialistic nature."

The reaction from the Global South reveals a deepening chasm in how war is perceived between the West and the rest of the world. While Washington and Tel Aviv justify their actions with national security reasons, dozens of nations from Africa, Asia, to Latin America see the shadow of old colonialism.

A notable point is that the attack occurred precisely when parties were negotiating. Oman's Foreign Minister confirmed a deal was "within reach" before the bombs fell. Former Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Maleeha Lodhi, accused Washington of negotiating in "bad faith," using diplomacy as a smokescreen to prepare for an attack—just like the Venezuela incident last year.

The anger is not solely about the trampled international law. Many countries see a familiar pattern: Iraq in 2003, Libya in 2011, and now Iran in 2026. Professor Amitav Acharya points out a fundamental shift in US conduct—from seeking influence and legitimacy, it now relies purely on coercion. Meanwhile, China is reaping benefits from soft power, using investment instead of missiles.

This war also exposes Europe's duplicity. They loudly invoked international law when Trump wanted to annex Greenland, but remained silent when allies attacked Iran. This hypocrisy is not lost on developing nations, which rely on a rules-based order to protect themselves from powerful states.

For the Global South, this is not about supporting the Iranian regime—many, like former Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz, openly condemn the theocratic regime in Tehran. The issue is the dangerous precedent: if the US can attack