Does the US president risk breaking the rules of war with threats against Iran?

The Volatile Standoff

President Trump’s latest ultimatum on Truth Social demands Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz—or face the obliteration of its bridges, power plants, and desalination facilities by Tuesday. The message, laced with insults labeling Iranian leaders as "animals" and vowing to send the country "back to the Stone Age," escalates tensions to a breaking point.

When challenged on the legality of such threats, Trump defended his stance by pointing to Iran’s brutal crackdown on protesters, claiming its leaders have slaughtered "thousands in the last month."

But legal experts warn that mass attacks on civilian infrastructure could violate international war laws. Under the rules of armed conflict, targets must directly support military operations and hold clear strategic value. Deliberately crippling a nation’s power grid or water supply to pressure its government would likely fail this test—past U.S. strikes in Iraq and Serbia used precision weapons to minimize civilian harm, but Trump’s rhetoric suggests a scorched-earth approach.

A Dangerous Precedent

Iran has itself faced scrutiny for targeting energy and water systems in neighboring countries, raising concerns over deliberate harm to civilians. Yet neither Iran nor the U.S. recognizes the authority of international courts, leaving little recourse for accountability—except through theoretical war crime charges against officials involved.

Trump’s pivot toward collective punishment—holding civilians accountable for their government’s actions—echoes Israeli rhetoric during the Gaza conflict. Depicting enemies as "animals" has historically been a justification for extreme measures. But history proves that bombing populations rarely forces surrender, especially when leaders are willing to escalate brutality to hold power.

A Gamble with Global Consequences

So far, the U.S. has avoided systematically destroying Iran’s power grid, but recent strikes on a bridge and petrochemical plants signal a dangerous escalation. The big question: Will the military block reckless orders?

For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains Iran’s strongest leverage—and Trump’s threats may only harden its resolve. With the clock ticking, the world watches: Is this brinkmanship, or the first step toward all-out war?