Geneva — SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated that it strongly condemns the targeting carried out by Iran against energy facilities in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, March 18, according to consistent media reports, stressing that these attacks affected states not involved in the ongoing armed conflict.

The organization explained that the attacks targeted civilian energy installations, including the SAMREF facility in Saudi Arabia and Ras Laffan in Qatar, as well as threats to target the Al-Hosn field in the UAE. This raises serious concerns under the rules of international humanitarian law, which prohibit attacks on civilian objects and require all parties to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality.

SAM emphasized that Israel’s targeting of energy facilities inside Iran -while condemned and considered a violation of international law- does not grant Iran any legal basis or justification to target third states that are not party to the hostilities. The organization affirmed that international humanitarian law does not permit transferring attacks to non-involved parties, nor does it allow reprisals that violate rules protecting civilians.

The organization further stated that targeting energy facilities in Gulf states constitutes an attack on protected civilian objects and could lead to disruptions in electricity and essential services for civilians, including healthcare and water, in addition to broad repercussions affecting regional stability.

It also considered that these attacks may amount to an unlawful use of force in violation of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2(4), which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, except in cases of legitimate self-defense under strict conditions, conditions that do not apply when targeting states not participating in the conflict.

In the same context, SAM renewed its condemnation of the targeting of energy facilities inside Iran, stressing that one party’s violation of international law does not justify violations by another, nor does it legitimize expanding the conflict to include neutral states.

The organization called on all parties to immediately cease targeting civilian objects, strictly comply with international humanitarian law, and work to keep vital infrastructure out of armed conflicts in order to protect civilians.

SAM also urged the United Nations Security Council and relevant UN mechanisms to adopt a clear and firm position regarding these violations, to ensure accountability and prevent impunity, thereby contributing to the protection of civilians and the preservation of international peace and security.