Disarming Iraq is legal under a series of U.N. resolutions. Iraq is in flagrant violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

In this quote, José María Aznar, the former Prime Minister of Spain, is addressing the issue of Iraq's disarmament in the context of international law and U.N. resolutions. Aznar argues that disarming Iraq is legally justified, referring to a series of United Nations resolutions that authorize actions to ensure Iraq complies with international standards on weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). He further asserts that Iraq is in flagrant violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, which required the country to disarm and adhere to certain regulations after the Gulf War.

The origin of this statement comes from the period leading up to the 2003 Iraq War, when global tensions were rising over Iraq's suspected possession of WMDs, including chemical, biological, and potentially nuclear weapons. The U.N. Security Council had passed a series of resolutions, such as Resolution 687 (1991), which required Iraq to dismantle its WMDs and allow international inspectors to verify compliance. Aznar's quote reflects the justification for military intervention based on Iraq's failure to comply with these resolutions.

By saying that Iraq is in flagrant violation, Aznar is emphasizing the severity of Iraq's non-compliance with U.N. mandates. He is arguing that Iraq's defiance of international law, specifically the resolutions passed by the U.N. Security Council, makes disarmament or military action a legal and necessary response. This statement was part of the rationale used by those advocating for military intervention in Iraq, including Aznar’s support for the U.S.-led invasion.

Ultimately, Aznar’s quote highlights the use of international law and U.N. resolutions as a basis for the argument that disarming Iraq was both legally and morally justified. His statement served to support the claim that Iraq’s actions had left the international community with no choice but to take further steps to ensure compliance and prevent the potential threat of WMDs.