The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday urged governments to respect the rules of war with words and actions, after U.S. President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric against Iran, threatening to unleash ‘hell’ on Tehran.
‘States must respect and ensure respect for the rules of war both in what they say and in what they 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, whether in rhetoric or action, against essential civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities should not become the new normal in war.
The ICRC’s statement refers to the hostilities in the Middle East, but did not specifically mention any government.
Power plants, water systems, hospitals, roads, bridges, homes, schools and universities were targets of attacks in the conflict that began with Israeli and American attacks on Iran in late February, which led Iran to strike targets across the region.
In his most recent ultimatum to Iran, Trump threatened to hit power plants and bridges unless the country reaches an agreement by the end of Tuesday that would allow traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supply.
Israel attacked on Monday the largest petrochemical complex in Iran, said Israel’s defense minister.
