Trump Revels in Threats to Commit War Crimes in Iran
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- President Trump has repeatedly threatened to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure, including power plants, desalination stations, oil wells, roads, and bridges, which would cause widespread suffering and likely constitute war crimes under international law.
- Trump stated his intention to send Iran "back to the Stone Ages" and threatened severe attacks on Iranian infrastructure, emphasizing these threats in social media posts around Easter weekend.
- He specifically mentioned targeting power plants and bridges simultaneously and celebrated the destruction of a bridge near Tehran, which resulted in civilian casualties.
- Legal experts and former U.S. officials note that no recent American president has so openly discussed actions that could be considered war crimes, as previous administrations typically claimed adherence to international law despite potential violations.
