Donald Trump has escalated his threats against Iran amid difficulties in the conflict he initiated. His latest proposition suggests the U.S. should engage in actions that could be classified as war crimes to pressure Iran into submission.
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On his social media platform, Trump posted:
The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran. Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately “Open for Business,” we will conclude our lovely “stay” in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet “touched.” This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year “Reign of Terror.”
Trump’s suggestion involves actions that constitute war crimes. Destroying infrastructure vital for civilian survival violates international law.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt faced questions from Garrett Haake regarding Trump’s potential war crimes:
The president posted this morning about, you know, his threat to that on leaving Iran. He said we might blowing up and completely obliterating all of their electric generating plans, oil wells, har Island, and possibly all desalinization plans under international laws. Striking civilian infrastructure like that is generally prohibited.
Why is the president threatening what would amount to potentially a war crime with the US military? And how do you square that with the administration repeatedly saying that the US does not target civilians?
Leavitt’s response indicated a willingness within the Trump administration to consider actions that could be deemed war crimes.
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