Trump Threatens to Bomb Iranian Civilian Sites, Potential War Crimes
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In a Truth Social post Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump suggested that he would respond to Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz by bombing civilian infrastructure in Iran, which would constitute a war crime.
“From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran,” Trump wrote.
Deliberately targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure constitutes a war crime under international law. While Iran may itself be engaging in such crimes by targeting non-military ships passing through the strait, the action of one country does not negate other countries from having to acknowledge and abide by those laws.
This is the latest in a series of threats Trump has made that suggest a willingness to disregard international standards. In early April, for example, Trump similarly promised to target civilian structures.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped in one, in Iran,” Trump wrote on April 5.
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