June 14, 2025

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Shii Kazuo on June 13 issued a statement regarding Israel’s large-scale attack on Iran. The full text of the statement is as follows:

SHII Kazuo
Chair, Central Committee, Japanese Communist Party
Member, House of Representatives of Japan
June 13, 2025
Tokyo, Japan

On June 13, the Israeli government announced that it had launched military strikes on multiple targets in Iran, including nuclear-related facilities. Iranian state media reported that large-scale explosions occurred in several areas, including in the capital Tehran, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children. Reports also indicate that the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and several nuclear scientists were killed. Concerns over potential radioactive contamination from the attacks on nuclear facilities are also grave.

The Israeli military has claimed that the strikes were a preemptive measure against Iran’s nuclear development program. Regardless of the justification, such a “preemptive strike” constitutes a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, and must be unequivocally condemned. Prime Minister Netanyahu has cited Iran’s nuclear program as the rationale for the attack, but this matter is currently under active discussion within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other relevant bodies. Unilateral military action during such ongoing diplomatic processes is entirely unacceptable.

Israel has described this attack as the “first phase of the operation,” implying that further military action may follow. This raises serious concerns about escalating tensions and the risk of a broader military conflict in the Middle East. We strongly call on Israel to immediately halt all further acts of aggression. At the same time, we urge the Iranian authorities to exercise restraint and avoid retaliatory measures that could further destabilize the region.

Israel continues to conduct operations in the Gaza Strip that many in the international community have condemned as acts of genocide, while simultaneously expanding illegal settlements and perpetuating violence and occupation in the West Bank. We call on the international community to take unified action—including, if necessary, sanctions—to end Israel’s repeated violations of the UN Charter and international law.