Violation of National Sovereignty through Destruction of Nuclear Facilities A Case Study of Cyber and Physical Attacks Against Iran's Nuclear Program

Seyed Sajjadi, Seyedeh Negar; Ahangaran, Mohammad Rasool

doi:10.22034/jml.2025.729620

Violation of National Sovereignty through Destruction of Nuclear Facilities A Case Study of Cyber and Physical Attacks Against Iran's Nuclear Program

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Seyedeh negar Seyed sajjadi ¹

mohammad rasool ahangaran ²

¹ Law, Private Law, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

² Professor, University of Tehran, Campus Farabi, Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/jml.2025.729620

Abstract

Nuclear facilities, as part of the vital infrastructure of countries and a reflection of national sovereignty, are under special protection under international law. This study examines cyber and physical attacks against the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran and analyzes the violation of fundamental principles of international law, including national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and protection of peaceful nuclear facilities. The research method of this study is based on comparative analysis and case study, which was conducted using legal documents, decisions of international courts, and opinions of international law jurists. The findings of this study show that the aforementioned attacks not only violated the principle of national sovereignty and non-interference, but also violated international environmental law, humanitarian law, and the right to development. The conclusion of this study emphasizes the need to strengthen international law protections for peaceful nuclear facilities and respect for the national sovereignty of countries in the field of nuclear technology.

Keywords

National sovereignty

nuclear facilities

cyberattacks

international law

Non-Proliferation Treaty

Subjects