How does IHL protect civilians from the effects of attacks against oil resources and infrastructure?

In the context of escalating hostilities in the Middle East, the IHL Centre is publishing a series of short Questions and Answers addressing key IHL issues arising from the current situation. The objective is to provide clear and concise explanations in an accessible format that is easy to navigate for diverse audiences. This is the third question in that series - see the previous questions here.

Since 28 February 2026, military operations involving the United States, Israel, and Iran have increasingly targeted or threatened oil resources and infrastructure. The legality of such conduct must be assessed under international humanitarian law (IHL), which regulates the protection of civilians and civilian objects during armed conflict, especially in view of the foreseeable humanitarian and environmental consequences of this conduct.

منذ 28 شباط/ فبراير 2026، استهدفت العمليات العسكرية التي شاركت فيها الولايات المتحدة وإسرائيل وإيران بشكل متزايد الموارد والبنية التحتية النفطية أو هدّدتها. ويتعيّن في هذا الصدد تقييم شرعية هذا السلوك بموجب القانون الدولي الإنساني الذي ينظّم حماية المدنيين والأعيان المدنية أثناء النزاعات المسلّحة، لا سيّما على ضوء التبعات الإنسانية والبيئية المتوقعة لهذا السلوك

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