Protest Letter to the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany
Subject: Protest Against the Joint Statement Condemning Iran’s Retaliatory Actions and Request for Consistent Respect for International Law
Your Excellency,
I extend my respectful greetings and sincere wishes for the well-being of your nation and its people.
My name is Shuichi Sato, a journalist and civic activist based in Hiroshima, Japan. I am writing to express deep concern and strong protest regarding the recent joint statement issued by the United Kingdom, France, and Germany condemning Iran’s retaliatory actions following the preemptive military strike conducted by the United States and Israel in late February 2026.
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1. Preemptive Attack During Ongoing Negotiations Undermines International Law
The United States and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran at a time when nuclear negotiations were reportedly making progress.
Such an action raises serious questions under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which limits the use of force to cases of an actual armed attack.
A military strike carried out in the midst of diplomatic negotiations fundamentally erodes trust in diplomacy and constitutes a grave deviation from the principles of the international legal order.
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2. Iran’s Retaliation Falls Within the Scope of Self-Defense; Double Standards Are Unacceptable
Your joint statement criticizes Iran’s retaliatory strikes on U.S. military facilities in neighboring countries as destabilizing the region.
However, under international law, a state that has come under attack retains the inherent right of self-defense, including striking the source of the attack.
Even the Japanese government—despite its pacifist Constitution—recognizes that “if Japan is attacked by missiles, striking the enemy’s launch bases falls within the scope of exclusively defensive defense and is constitutional.”
Condemning only Iran’s response while remaining silent on the initial preemptive attack by the United States and Israel constitutes a clear double standard.
Such inconsistency undermines the credibility of the international community and weakens the rule-based order.
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3. Civilian Harm and the Dangerous Signal for Nuclear Proliferation
Reports indicate that U.S. strikes have caused damage to civilian facilities, including schools, in Iran.
If civilian casualties are occurring, silence from major European powers risks contradicting the humanitarian principles that your nations have long advocated.
Furthermore, the precedent that “a state without nuclear weapons can be attacked” sends a deeply dangerous message to the world.
It risks accelerating nuclear proliferation—an outcome that the city of Hiroshima, with its history as the first victim of nuclear warfare, cannot accept.
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4. Requests to the Governments of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany
I respectfully urge your governments to:
- Provide a clear assessment of the U.S.–Israeli preemptive strike and express criticism consistent with international law
- Reconsider the condemnation of Iran’s retaliatory actions and acknowledge the legal framework of self-defense
- Prioritize the protection of civilians and uphold humanitarian principles in all diplomatic responses
- Maintain a consistent and principled approach to international law to prevent further nuclear proliferation and regional destabilization
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Hiroshima’s voice is grounded in the memory of war and a profound commitment to peace.
I strongly hope that your governments will reaffirm their dedication to international law and humanitarian principles, and take steps toward restoring fairness and credibility in global diplomacy.
Respectfully yours,
March 2026
Hiroshima, Japan
Shuichi Sato
Freelance Journalist / Representative, Citizens’ Revolution Hiroshima
