politics
Trump Issues Threats of Civilian Infrastructure Destruction in Iran Amid Ongoing U.S.-Israeli Conflict
President Donald Trump has made statements threatening to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, in the context of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran that began on February 28. Former Pentagon officials and legal experts describe these threats as potential war crimes and genocidal intent under international law.
Apr 7, 1:23 PM·2m read8 sources
The InterceptAudio version
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President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social on Tuesday that a whole civilization in Iran would die that night, following threats to obliterate the country's civilian infrastructure. -Israeli war on Iran, which started on February 28. Trump specified plans to decimate every bridge and power plant by 12:00 on Wednesday.
On Monday, Trump warned that the entire country of Iran could be taken out in one night, potentially as soon as Tuesday. He referenced bombing Iran back to the Stone Ages and demanded the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. When asked if these threats constituted war crimes, Trump replied that he was not concerned.
Sarah Harrison, associate general counsel at the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel during Trump’s first term, stated that Trump's threats express genocidal intent and are unlawful orders.
“Every single lawmaker and national security leader needs to stand against this and make clear to the U.S. military that these are unlawful orders and if carried out they will someday face criminal prosecution." — Sarah Harrison, The Intercept Rebecca Ingber, a former State Department lawyer, explained that Trump's statements meet the specific intent required under the Genocide Convention for destroying a national group. Sarah Yager of Human Rights Watch described the described destruction as a war crime with no gray area under international law. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported last week that strikes on critical infrastructure have disrupted electricity, water, and telecommunications, posing environmental and health risks.”
Impacts on Civilians Strikes have targeted airports, cultural sites, hospitals, industrial areas, markets, residential zones, and schools since the war began. Specific incidents include the bombing of Tehran's civilian international airport, a power plant in Khorramshahr, water reservoirs in Fars and Khuzestan, and the B1 highway bridge last week, which killed eight villagers celebrating Nowruz.
