Trump Threatens Iran’s Critical Infrastructure as Legal Experts Warn of War Crimes

In a televised address on Wednesday, President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Tehran, threatening to strike Iran’s energy and oil infrastructure and civilian landmarks, including bridges. Trump stated the U.S. intends to strike "extremely hard" over the next several weeks to significantly degrade the country's development status. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the threats, noting that specific targets mentioned, such as certain bridges, remain under construction and serve civilian purposes. The escalation comes as more than 100 international law experts from institutions such as Harvard and Yale issued a formal warning regarding the conduct of U.S. forces. In an open letter, the experts cited potential violations of international humanitarian law, specifically pointing to strikes on schools, homes, and healthcare facilities. Central to these concerns is a February 28 strike on an Iranian girls' school that reportedly killed 175 people. The U.S. military has elevated its internal investigation into the incident following reports that U.S. assets were likely responsible. On the ground, the regional conflict continues to expand as Iran’s 'Axis of Resistance' partners have formally joined the war effort. Since the initial outbreak of hostilities on February 28, joint U.S.-Israeli operations within Iran and Israeli strikes in Lebanon have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people. In response, Tehran has targeted Israeli territory and Gulf states that host American military installations.