The International Humanitarian Law Centre has issued a public warning over reported threats directed at civilians and civilian infrastructure in Iran. In a statement published on 7 April 2026, the Centre condemned recent public remarks referring to attacks on infrastructure such as power plants and bridges, arguing that such language raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law.
According to the Centre, civilians and civilian objects are protected from attack under IHL. That protection can only be lost under narrow legal conditions, including when an object becomes a military objective and when the anticipated civilian harm is not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage expected from the strike. The statement warns that attacking an entire country’s power infrastructure indiscriminately, without rigorous legal scrutiny, could constitute a war crime.
The Centre also argues that broad public threats to destroy power infrastructure or wipe out “a whole civilisation” are both morally irresponsible and legally prohibited. It says such rhetoric risks normalising unlawful attacks on civilian objects, undermining the rules meant to protect civilians, and legitimising conduct likely to cause severe civilian suffering. It further recalls that threats or acts of violence intended primarily to spread terror among the civilian population are prohibited at all times.
The statement also underlines that members of armed forces are legally bound to respect the laws of armed conflict and to refuse manifestly unlawful orders, including orders to attack civilians. The Centre notes that this principle has been firmly established in international law since the Nuremberg Trials. At a time of escalating regional hostilities, it concludes, strict compliance with international humanitarian law remains essential to preserving a minimum of humanity and dignity in war.
