The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross called on governments this Monday to respect the rules of war in words and actions, after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, intensified his rhetoric against Iran, threatening to bring ‘hell’ to Tehran.
‘States must respect and ensure respect for the rules of war 🏽both in what they say and do,’ Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement.
‘The world cannot succumb to a political culture that prioritizes death over life.’
She also said that deliberate threats, in rhetoric or action, against essential civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities must not become the new norm in warfare.
The ICRC statement refers to hostilities in the Middle East, but does not specifically mention any government.
Power plants, water systems, hospitals, roads, bridges, homes, schools and universities were targeted in the conflict that began with the Israeli and US attacks on Iran in late February, which led to Iran striking targets across the region.
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In his most recent ultimatum to Iran, Trump threatened to target power plants and bridges unless the country reaches a deal by the end of Tuesday that allows traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
Israel attacked Iran’s largest petrochemical complex on Monday, Israel’s defense minister said.
