Is the US committing war crimes by targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure?

April 3, 2026

TL;DR

Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iranian civilian infrastructure, including power plants, and 'bring Iran back to the stone ages'.
Legal experts state that intentionally attacking civilian infrastructure can constitute serious war crimes under international law.
Such attacks are prohibited unless the civilian object is a military objective and causing disproportionate harm to civilians is avoided.
Over 100 US international law experts have raised concerns about potential violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including war crimes, based on statements and actions by US officials.
The principle of distinction between civilians and combatants, and proportionality, are key in determining the legality of targeting civilian objects.
The International Committee of the Red Cross president noted that 'war on essential infrastructure is war on civilians' and that deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure can amount to war crimes.

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