President Trump intensifies rhetoric against Tehran: Should Iran target ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will destroy civilian infrastructure.
U.S. President Donald Trump has once again threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran. According to him, the U.S. will “bombard and destroy” a bridge or power plant in Iran every time the Islamic Republic attacks a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s warnings surfaced on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Legal Ramifications of Civil Infrastructure Attacks
Attacking civilian infrastructure may constitute a war crime under international law. Despite Trump’s threats over the past months regarding the destruction of Iranian bridges and power plants, there have been no initial attacks. Recent reports indicate that U.S. military actions were taken against several bridges and an airport in Iran, albeit without official confirmation.
Escalation of Military Actions
Last week, media outlets reported attacks by the U.S. military aimed at interrupting supply routes to an Iranian naval base in the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal cited a U.S. official on the matter.
Iran’s Response and Accusations
In response to these U.S. actions, Iran’s UN ambassador declared that attacks on civilian infrastructure amount to war crimes. Iran has launched renewed attacks against targets in allied Gulf states such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan, targeting even civilian sites like electricity generation and desalination facilities.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran and the broader region, calling such actions “unacceptable.”
The Tension Mounts
Following Trump’s announcement of potential U.S. attacks on Iranian infrastructure, Iran threatened retaliation if the U.S. damages bridges or power plants, as reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Recent Military Actions Against Iranian Targets
In recent days, Trump intensified his rhetoric regarding the entrenched conflict with Iran. The U.S. Army has launched additional strikes against numerous targets in Iran, particularly near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported attacks on Larak Island during these military operations.
The U.S. regional command CENTCOM stated that these attacks aim to “weaken Iranian capabilities to disrupt maritime traffic.” Reports indicate that air defense systems in Tehran have been activated as it hasn’t faced attacks for months.
