Targeting civilian infrastructure constitutes a “war crime”

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday denounced the “inflammatory rhetoric” prevailing in the conflict in the Middle East, and reminded that targeting civilian infrastructure constitutes a “war crime.”

“Under international law, a deliberate attack on civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime,” Turk said in a statement. “Every person responsible for international crimes must be brought to justice through a competent court.”

Turk’s statements came at a time when US President Donald Trump is escalating his rhetoric against Iran, vowing to “completely destroy” the country’s basic infrastructure, especially bridges and power plants, if Iran does not agree to an agreement by Tuesday evening.