Can the US and Trump be held liable for economic costs of Middle East conflict?

Countries grappling with the economic fallout from the US-Israel attacks on Iran may file a lawsuit against the US government and its present leader, Donald Trump, for allegedly violating international law, a report on "24 Oras" said Wednesday.

Global oil prices have skyrocketed due to supply delays caused by the Iran war, leaving oil-dependent countries like the Philippines scrambling for alternative fuel sources and other measures to ease the impact of the energy crisis.

Atty. Evecar Ferrer, who teaches international law, said affected countries, including Iran, may cite the doctrine of state responsibility to seek accountability from the US before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

According to the UN articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, "the compensation shall cover any financially assessable damage, including loss of profits." 

"Merong dalawang element na present. Puwede nating sabihin o i-argue na halimbawa under Article 51 ng UN Charter, puwede lang ang pag-atake sa sitwasyon ng self-defense or pagtatanggol sa bansa mo. Puwede mo lang sabihin na attributable ito kung opisyal ng bansa or mga agents niya, and in this case, desisyon ito ng presidente o head of state ng isang bansa, which is US," she said in Chino Gaston's report.

(There are two elements present. We can say or argue, for example, that under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, an attack is only permissible in a situation of self-defense or defense of your country. You can only say that it is attributable to an official of the country or its agents, and in this case, it is a decision of the president or head of state of a country, which is the US.)

However, Ferrer admitted that holding powerful nations accountable will not be easy.

"Even if you file a case, ang question, how do you hold a country that big accountable? Kahit pa nga manalo ka, papaano mo siya i-enforce?" she said.

(Even if you file a case, the question is, how do you hold a country that big accountable? Even if you win, how do you enforce the decision?)

In 1986, the Hague-based ICJ found the US liable for its activities in Nicaragua, including supporting a rebellion and deploying mines in the Central American country's harbors. The ICJ demanded that the US pay reparations, but Washington refused to recognize the court's jurisdiction.  — VBL, GMA News