Would Trump’s Threatened Attacks on Iran’s Infrastructure Be a War Crime?

TIME
by Connor Greene
April 7, 2026
7 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Four legal experts are weighing whether President Trump’s threatened attacks on Iran’s infrastructure would be a war crime.

AI Summary

President Donald Trump has escalated threats to target civilian sites in Iran if the country does not re-open the Strait of Hormuz by 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday. He vowed to bomb civilian power plants and bridges, and stated on Truth Social that "A whole civilization will die tonight." U.S. lawmakers, human rights organizations, and experts on international law, including Yale Law School professors Oona Hathaway and Harold Koh, warn that such attacks would amount to war crimes. Trump has dismissed these concerns, saying he was "not at all" worried about committing war crimes during a Monday press conference. Legal experts indicate that targeting civilian infrastructure or threatening violence against a civilian population violates international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

Source Coverage Map

28 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

65% coverage
Did Not Cover (15)
ICIJ97AP US News96ProPublica95Center for Public Integrity93Reveal News91+10 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

US warns of Iran-affiliated cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure across country
National Security

US warns of Iran-affiliated cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure across country

<p>Security agencies say municipalities should watch out for unusual activity, especially in water and energy sectors</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/07/iran-war-live-updates-trump-hormuz-threats-deadline-strikes-middle-east-conflict">Middle East crisis – live updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Top government security agencies issued a warning of Iran-affiliated cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure across the US on Tuesday. In a <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/CSA/2026/260407.pdf">joint statement</a>, the agencies said municipalities, especially in the water and energy sectors, should be on the lookout for unusual activity.</p><p>“Cyberattacks on drinking water and wastewater systems directly threaten public health and community resilience,”<strong> </strong>Jeffrey Hall, an assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance for the<strong> </strong>Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said in a statement. “A single breach can disrupt...

The Guardian US NewsApr 7
WATCH LIVE: Hegseth and Caine hold Pentagon briefing as Trump threatens Iran's infrastructure
National Security

WATCH LIVE: Hegseth and Caine hold Pentagon briefing as Trump threatens Iran's infrastructure

In his news conference Monday, President Donald Trump threatened to blow up every bridge and power plant in Iran, action that would be so far-reaching that some experts in military law said it could constitute a war crime.

PBS NewsHourApr 6
Iran official calls for youths to gather at power plants ahead of threatened Trump strikes - AP News
National Security

Iran official calls for youths to gather at power plants ahead of threatened Trump strikes - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi4gFBVV95cUxNS3FBcWlsbjNoTUpaS0NrSWpPYVVQTXNQdUk4ZDRxWXN0d3RfZWdDWEZSY3NBcGw4NkVGaDRXYXc2d0ZxQktaa3hPMWZNNXUwb19Vazg0clJtd1pNVHo1MGluYjZwMXpUR2pseGptbXloUmZha1JIMkVGRHcyRWFydjhRVUdHcThwcWRQTTZlUGU0NlRyMzFRV3FqaGI2Z1kyM201QldOZUhhWk93TmcyZnNodTlPSE1wSkVGTElsbjBwNUtCSFFrSFJ5YlBqYzdKd2lGajdMSXlVam1RdzFJVlFR?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran official calls for youths to gather at power plants ahead of threatened Trump strikes</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 7
Are war crimes being committed in the Middle East war?
Global

Are war crimes being committed in the Middle East war?

With US and Israeli strikes on Iran's critical infrastructure already underway Tuesday amid threats of more to come, the UN and other organisations have warned that such attacks could constitute war crimes.

© Vahid Salemi, APApr 7
Trump makes case for Iran war. And, SCOTUS leans toward upholding birthright citizenship
Politics

Trump makes case for Iran war. And, SCOTUS leans toward upholding birthright citizenship

President Trump addressed the nation last night, making his case for war with Iran. And, the Supreme Court majority seemed inclined to rule against the Trump administration on birthright citizenship.

NPRApr 2
Trump uses Iran war address to urge an increasingly skeptical electorate to give him a bit more time - AP News
Politics

Trump uses Iran war address to urge an increasingly skeptical electorate to give him a bit more time - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxOd3VUSlozVksta1Y0bEJTeDhrclpNanNHblplNkwwNHp2RjJkNUhBVWVpQ3hYajIwUF9mZm1kd2Z6WV82ckI4TXJhRnhqT3E0czVpRVBtUWNEdFNKWUctUnE3WHJtX3B3NEhOMlhJN1NtQUZsWEN2V0pKVUtVRGVvbjJhQnI3T0xTcEFlOTJsVHZGU2gwTW04OTNjclp0YkRBQllR?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump uses Iran war address to urge an increasingly skeptical electorate to give him a bit more time</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 2
Read Next
US strikes military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, US official says - Reuters
National Security

US strikes military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, US official says - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxPOGRwY2dBZmxXZklNdEYtNlIwU1NnSFc0a05RbkxIQWppT0pPaVFQQWgwRjdKRmhpMTNTMEdkZWFfbWVzUXg2b0tZdnppVHRBekVOeGtIajRud2JrQ3Jwdi1HV0xuNDNVUzZ2N21rSGVXeENGY256ZjdkYjNRVlIxbTJzbnVOTlZIYkZVV0VPOFFUUHZhVzJkT3VKQnNnbF8tQlVfSjcwZkhMc21XRUxGMk5mTVJGUnV5?oc=5" target="_blank">US strikes military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, US official says</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Continue reading

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.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources