United Nations, Jan. 30 (IPS)-- The United States and allies who attack Iraq without United Nations sanction could face international legal action, even though Washington has opted out of the new International Criminal Court (ICC), experts and peace activists said Thursday.

??For the first time since the end of the cold war, an act of deliberate aggression is being advanced under the pretext of legality by a major power,? said James E. Jennings, president of Conscience International.

??The US refusal to join the International Criminal Court will not permit its leaders to escape trial before a world court and other international tribunals on war crimes charges,? he warned.