Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ desalination plants in Iran if no deal reached

Al Jazeera
March 30, 2026
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3 min read

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Trump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants; legal experts say this would violate international laws of war.

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President Trump threatened to destroy Iran's desalination plants, according to statements reported in the headline. A legal expert cited in the excerpt argues that targeting such civilian infrastructure would constitute "collective punishment," which violates international laws of war. The threat reflects escalating rhetoric toward Iran amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Desalination plants are critical civilian infrastructure that provide drinking water to Iran's population, making them distinct from military or nuclear facilities typically targeted in geopolitical conflicts. The statement raises questions about whether the Trump administration would pursue such strikes and how international law would constrain military options against Iran.

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