Is Trump threatening to commit a war crime?published at 15:52 BST
Tom Bateman
US State Department correspondent
Image source, ReutersIn a Truth Social post earlier, the US president again threatened to hit civilian infrastructure in Iran if a deal is not reached. It’s not the first time he’s suggested hitting bridges and power plants – here’s what to know.
Donald Trump’s threat to blow up electricity plants and bridges in Iran would amount to a threat to commit potential war crimes, according to international treaties and conventions on the laws of war.
The deliberate destruction of energy infrastructure could have a devastating effect on civilian life – even if the plants are also argued to have a military or government purpose.
Luis Moreno Ocampo, founding chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) – to which neither the US nor Iran are party – told me earlier this month when Trump made similar threats that bombing of Iranian power plants, as well as attacks by both Iran and Israel on energy infrastructure, would not amount to legitimate targets.
Under the Rome Statute, established by the court, “intentionally directing attacks at civilian objects… which are not military objectives” is a war crime, Moreno Ocampo said.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about this issue of potential war crimes and rejected the notion.
“Of course, this administration and the United States armed forces will always act within the confines of the law.
“But with respect to achieving the full objectives of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is going to move forward unabated. And he expects the Iranian regime to make a deal with the administration.”
Trump himself said in a newspaper interview earlier this year he didn’t “need” international law and that he was limited only by his own morality. “My own mind,” he said, was “the only thing that can stop me”.
