Serbia’s Vucic Calls US-Israel Strikes on Iran Violation of International Law, Reaffirms Friendship with Israel
Reflecto News | Politics & International Relations | Europe
BELGRADE — Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has walked a delicate diplomatic tightrope, publicly branding the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran as a “violation of international law” while simultaneously reaffirming his enduring friendship with Israel.
In a candid address, Vučić acknowledged the inherent contradiction in his position, admitting, “I cannot justify everything,” yet standing by his allegiance to the Israeli state.
“I cannot justify everything, but I am still a friend of Israel. You cannot say it’s not a violation of international law to attack a sovereign country like Iran.”
— Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia
A ‘Carefully Prepared’ Conflict
Vučić has been vocal about his assessment of the origins of the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on February 28. He told Informer TV that the conflict had been “long prepared” and was not a surprise to global intelligence agencies .
Drawing on painful historical parallels that resonate deeply with the Serbian public, Vučić compared the US-Israeli military campaign to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 . He argued that in both cases, the stated reasons—preventing a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Kosovo or halting Iran’s nuclear program—mask a deeper objective: regime change.
“All this is being carried out, just like it happened in Serbia. They lied all the time that it was a humanitarian catastrophe. The essence was regime change in Belgrade and the gaining of Kosovo’s independence.”
— Aleksandar Vučić
He believes the ultimate US goal is to “turn Iran toward Western values,” a geopolitical shift that would have massive economic implications, particularly for energy markets .
The ‘Friend of Israel’ Paradox
Despite his strong criticism of the military action, Vučić has consistently reaffirmed Serbia’s strategic ties to the Jewish state. Multiple Israeli officials and Jewish leaders have described Vučić as “a proven friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel in its most difficult times” .
This friendship is not merely rhetorical but deeply transactional and strategic.
Evidence of the Serbia-Israel Alliance:
- Military Cooperation: Serbia and Israeli arms giant Elbit Systems are reportedly planning a joint drone production facility, with Israel holding a 51% majority stake. Belgrade views this partnership as a way to acquire “the best drones in this part of the world” .
- Arms Exports: Despite the war in Gaza and allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, Serbia’s arms exports to Israel increased 42-fold between 2023 and 2025, reaching 114 million euros .
- Diplomatic Defense: Following an anti-government protest in Belgrade that featured chants of “Death to Vučić and the Jews around him,” Israeli political figures came to his defense, emphasizing that Serbia fought Nazism in WWII and that “no political motive whatsoever justifies such calls” .
Warning of Economic Fallout
Vučić has framed his opposition to the war not just in terms of legal principles but through the lens of stark economic reality for his own citizens. He recently convened an emergency government meeting to address what he called “the most severe economic crisis in decades” .
He warned that the continuation of the war will trigger a crisis in strategic industries worldwide. “The continuation of this war will lead not only to oil shortages but also to a scarcity of plastics,” he said, noting that this will cause job losses across key supply chains, impacting Serbia’s automotive industry and potentially forcing Belgrade to suspend agricultural exports .
Global Shift: The ‘End of International Law’
Perhaps most significantly, Vučić has interpreted the Western powers’ tolerance of the strikes as a fundamental shift in the global order. He lamented that we are witnessing “something that is a new era in which no one will care about international law anymore” .
In a recent call with the UAE President, Vučić specifically condemned the Iranian attacks on the UAE as a “violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations” . His balanced condemnation—criticizing both the original US-Israeli strikes and the subsequent Iranian retaliation—illustrates the impossible position of a small state seeking to survive amid the competing interests of superpowers.
While he stands by Israel, he has also met with the Iranian ambassador to Belgrade to discuss “peaceful solutions with respect for the UN Charter” . As he navigates this volatile landscape, Vučić is hedging his bets: bolstering Serbia’s own defense with advanced air defense systems and deepening ties with Israel, all while calling for a return to diplomacy to prevent a global catastrophe .
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| On the War | Believes the US-Israel attack on Iran was “long prepared” and violates international law, comparing it to the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia . |
| On the US Strategy | Argues the true goal of the US is regime change in Iran and controlling global energy markets . |
| On Israel | Reaffirms friendship despite disagreement; maintains strong military ties and arms deals with Israel . |
| On Serbia’s Position | Seeks to preserve peace, protect the economy, and strengthen its own military (air defense) during the crisis . |
| On Global Impact | Warns the war signals the “end of respect for international law” and will trigger a global industrial crisis . |
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