Over 100 US legal experts condemn strikes on Iran as possible ‘war crimes’
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Over 100 U.S. legal experts signed an open letter calling recent military strikes on Iran potential war crimes under international law.
AI Summary
More than 100 U.S. legal experts have signed an open letter condemning strikes on Iran as possible war crimes, expressing concern about the conduct and rhetoric surrounding U.S.-Israeli military operations. The scholars' collective statement represents a rare public rebuke from the American legal community during an active conflict involving the U.S. and its regional ally. The letter raises questions about whether the strikes comply with international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict. Legal experts signing such documents typically focus on whether targeting decisions, civilian harm, and military necessity meet obligations under the Geneva Conventions and UN charter. The condemnation adds pressure on the Trump administration amid broader debate over escalation in the Middle East.
Source Coverage Map
4 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
3 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
Is the US committing war crimes by targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure?
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
National SecurityChatter and fear about US military draft emerge as Trump’s Iran war drags on
<p>Though the US is almost certainly not going to have a draft, media commentary and online anxiety have surfaced</p><p>The United States is almost certainly not going to have a military draft to fight Iran. That hasn’t stopped the chatter, and anxiety, across the country.</p><p>In recent weeks, Donald Trump has ordered a number of marines and army paratroopers to head to the Middle East, gesturing toward a possible ground war to reopen the strait of Hormuz or secure nuclear weapons material. The provocative military activity has led to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/30/how-could-us-forcibly-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-iran-what-are-the-risks">speculative conversation</a> about what it would take to invade a country twice the population and three times the territory of Iraq.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/us-military-draft-fears-trump-iran-war">Continue reading...</a>
GlobalTrump administration sidelines, threatens Europe in Iran war: EU flounders in new world order
After Greenland and trade tariffs, US President Donald Trump is threatening European countries once again. If they fail to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, "it will be very bad for the future of NATO", Trump has said. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that the US will make its own security decisions, whatever Europe thinks. Admittedly, Europe's own standing has been diminished by its inability to speak with one clear voice on this crisis, as on previous ones. Our guests evaluate the EU's response as US-Israeli strikes on Iran continue.
GlobalIran fires on targets across the Mideast while Israel and US hit Tehran as war nears end of 5th week - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxOaTRHZ181b3ZFdEMxenBZSl9zSThiM0s3aWhSOFpyMHB1T25heWIwQ3Z0Y1NyVEVjLXVoeHZBUkI4d3BvQVpyOFhxQ3NoOTlCTFRudjhCLVR6RW1MZG9MT3NqTjVVNWo0VUVkMzFQb0FYSnFjOUo3cXNxbE0waG5kZzVRNTFPM04wcmxMc0VEMWc2aW1RdlpLaktJRUUyNG9aeHZr?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran fires on targets across Mideast while Israel and US hit Tehran as war shows no signs of slowing</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
National SecurityRussia is sending upgraded drones used in the Ukraine war to Iran, officials say - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNSUtJSnhWQVFTMXh0MEEydkpPLUVycG13WjRWcU1CVERBWWotOEpZY2ppdjZKRHlqOWlKSjFvc251c0dIUTJHM251aWtCV3hsdlQ2QlZRU21PckZnMU9lV1JmUzY1MlZBeGxjRldmX3J4eFZfNkR2azRRR3NWOGRHRjhQT21kTlVaZXY3MVNxUUR5bjl0VUJqdk1qdlBYY2hkRUdQcEt5Yw?oc=5" target="_blank">Russia is sending upgraded drones used in the Ukraine war to Iran, officials say</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
PoliticsUnderstanding why some Iranian Americans support the war on their country of origin
Protesters from the Iranian diaspora in the U.S. gathered in Washington, D.C. as the war in the Middle East broadens. Many say they are aligned with the U.S. and Israel and explain why they want to see regime change in Tehran.
Politics'JD or Marco?’: Iran war raises 2028 stakes as Trump weighs Vance vs. Rubio - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxOMG1wX3BaYkRGekduZURYQmNnQTU2NDY3Q2hiLUpDMnJRY1NsS2d4UlhOb01zeUJvaDl1LUtOMHdTR1dYWkdpSEk3ZlJ4S0V2YXc2em9ldDNVWEl6X1JFVFlBVzJiVkN6V3UwSE5zZ2ZEd2dGYjExTFZWQTRLUU9GV1VyVk92dDV3SU1lb2wtdUFlcnA2QVJJVWhPWlI5THNkc3JRQTRVb1MtbHdveTB1QkVR?oc=5" target="_blank">'JD or Marco?’: Iran war raises 2028 stakes as Trump weighs Vance vs. Rubio</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
U.S. fighter jet shot down in Iran, search underway for crew
<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran</a> has shot down a U.S. fighter jet, per Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident, and a search and rescue effort is underway to locate two crew.</p><p><strong>The big picture:</strong> It would be the first time since the beginning of the war that a U.S. jet was downed by enemy fire.</p><hr><ul><li>The U.S. military and the White House didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.</li></ul><p><strong>Driving the news:</strong> On Friday, Iranian state media published pictures and videos that allegedly show parts of the downed plane and one of the ejection seats.</p><ul><li>The photos and videos suggest it is an F-15 fighter jet.</li></ul><p><em>This is breaking news.</em></p>
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
'The gravest crime against humanity': What does the UN vote on slavery mean?
After 16 years and $8 billion, the military's new GPS software still doesn't work
US paves way for private assets to be included in 401(k) retirement plans - Reuters
The Justice Department plans to share sensitive voter data with Homeland Security
Secret Service agent assigned to Jill Biden accidentally shoots himself in leg at airport - AP News
