Legal experts have raised alarm over threats by Donald Trump to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran, warning that such statements could themselves amount to war crimes.
More than 100 international law experts recently signed an open letter expressing “profound concern” over what they described as breaches of international law. The signatories said the US-‘Israeli’ decision to launch attacks on Iran violated the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force except in self-defense or with authorization from the UN Security Council. They also warned about “alarming rhetoric,” including threats by Trump to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants.
The White House dismissed the criticism, saying Trump was making the region safer and rejecting what it called “so-called experts.”
Stephen J. Rapp, a former US ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, said he was disturbed by Trump’s ultimatum that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure.
“It makes us a rogue state,” said Rapp, who previously served as chief prosecutor at international war crimes tribunals. He and other legal experts noted that publicly threatening to destroy infrastructure essential to civilian survival could itself constitute a violation of international law.
Trump issued the warning in an expletive-laden social media post, threatening to target Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran failed to meet his deadline.
READ: Iran condemns Trump ‘Stone Age’ threat as intent to commit ‘massive war crime’
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day… Open the Strait… or you’ll be living in Hell,” Trump said, escalating rhetoric as the war enters a new phase.
The threat follows a 10-day ultimatum set by Washington for Iran to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route that has been largely disrupted since the US and ‘Israel’ launched attacks on Iran in late February.
Iranian officials condemned the remarks and warned of retaliation. In a statement, Iran’s mission to the United Nations said the US president had “openly threaten[ed] to destroy infrastructure essential to civilian survival,” urging the international community to act.
“The international community and all states have legal obligations to prevent such atrocious acts of war crimes,” the statement said.
Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, a senior official in the Iranian president’s office, said the strait would only be reopened under a new framework that includes reparations for damages caused during the war. He dismissed Trump’s threats as “desperation and anger.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran is seeking a deal, while Iranian officials have denied ongoing negotiations and warned that attacks on infrastructure would trigger broader retaliation.
Throughout the conflict, US officials have issued increasingly aggressive statements. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently threatened to send Iran “back to the Stone Age,” while Trump himself said he was unconcerned about civilian harm from such strikes.
“No, they want us to do it,” Trump said in an interview when asked about the potential impact on civilians.
READ: Fuming Trump issues 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to reopen Hormuz
Legal experts point out that under the Geneva Conventions, targeting infrastructure indispensable to civilian survival—such as electricity and water systems—is prohibited if it causes disproportionate harm or lacks clear military necessity.
Reports indicate that US-‘Israeli’ strikes have already hit civilian sites, including schools, healthcare facilities, and bridges, raising concerns that some actions may already constitute war crimes.
