Iran condemns Trump's threat to destroy infrastructure as war crime

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei strongly condemned recent threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump against Iran's infrastructure, labeling them as war crimes. In a post on X on Thursday, Baghaei stated, "Do Not Commit War Crimes for Anyone; citing superior orders to justify war crimes does not absolve the perpetrators of criminal liability. The U.S. ruling establishment intends to sacrifice whatever remains of international humanitarian law and the foundations of human ethics and civilization to its insatiable appetite for war and slaughter."

Baghaei further elaborated that a policy calling for the destruction of bridges and power plants is manifestly unlawful and criminal. He emphasized that such actions constitute reprisal and collective punishment, both of which are explicitly prohibited as war crimes under international humanitarian law and U.S. domestic law, specifically under 18 U.S.C. § 2441 (the War Crimes Act).

The spokesperson noted that there is no statute of limitations for these offenses. He highlighted that the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Department of Defense Law of War Manual make it unequivocally clear that service members have both a legal and moral duty to refuse manifestly unlawful orders.

"Iran stands firm and resolute against lawlessness and the flouting of the law," Baghaei concluded. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with Trump having previously threatened to target Iranian cultural sites and infrastructure. According to Mehr News, the Iranian government continues to assert its position against any form of aggression or violation of international norms.