The Islamic Republic of Iran has actively developed, exported, and facilitated the deployment of the Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a one-way attack system classified as a Lethal Autonomous Weapon System (LAWS). Manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), a subsidiary of Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) under the control of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, this weapon has been extensively employed in armed conflicts, most notably by Russian forces in Ukraine and by Iranian state and proxy actors in cross-border operations, including attacks against Kurdish opposition groups in Iraqi Kurdistan.
While no per se prohibition exists under international law regarding the use of loitering munitions such as the Shahed-136, their deployment must conform strictly to the foundational principles of international humanitarian law (IHL), including distinction, proportionality, and necessity. The documented use of Shahed-136 drones in indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks—such as targeted strikes against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, which resulted in large-scale disruptions to essential services, and cross-border operations in Iraqi Kurdistan causing civilian casualties—raises grave concerns regarding compliance with these legal norms.
Pursuant to Article 51(4)(b) and (c) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, attacks that are indiscriminate in nature, particularly those that fail to distinguish between military objectives and civilian populations, are strictly prohibited. The deliberate targeting of energy infrastructure in Ukraine, leaving millions without electricity and heating during winter, constitutes an attack on objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, thereby potentially violating Article 54 of Additional Protocol I. Additionally, the principle of proportionality, as codified in Article 22 of the Hague Regulations (1907) and recognized as a fundamental tenet of customary international law, prohibits attacks where the expected harm to civilians is excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage. The use of Shahed-136 drones in densely populated areas and against essential civilian services indicates a likely breach of this principle.
Moreover, the proliferation of these UAVs to non-state actors and their documented use in armed conflicts exacerbates regional instability and raises concerns under international arms control frameworks. The European Union and the United States have already imposed targeted sanctions against Iranian entities involved in the production and transfer of these systems, underscoring the international community’s recognition of their destabilizing impact.
In light of Iran’s continued pattern of deploying Shahed-series drones in a manner that endangers civilian populations and violates fundamental principles of IHL, Hana Human Rights Organization expresses its strongest condemnation of the Iranian authorities’ role in the development and proliferation of these lethal weapons. We call upon the international community to:
Strengthen and expand existing sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities involved in the production, export, and operational deployment of Shahed-series drones;
Initiate international legal proceedings against Iranian officials and entities responsible for the manufacture, transfer, and unlawful use of these weapons in violation of IHL;
Ensure robust enforcement of arms embargoes and restrictions to prevent further proliferation of these UAVs to conflict zones where their use threatens civilian populations.
Given the persistent and egregious violations arising from the use of Shahed-136 drones, urgent and coordinated legal and diplomatic measures are imperative to uphold the integrity of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Legal Office
Hana Human Rights Organization
February 21, 2025