US strikes on Iran may be war crimes, 100+ experts warn

International breaking Iran-US-Israel war

2026-04-03T08:50:41+00:00

Shafaq News- Washington

More than 100 legal experts and major rights groups have warned that US strikes on Iran and threats to target civilian infrastructure may constitute war crimes under international law.

In an open letter published by Just Security, scholars from leading US universities explained that the campaign launched on February 28 could violate the United Nations Charter and raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law, citing statements by US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including threats to escalate attacks and language suggesting fewer limits on military operations.

Amnesty International said targeting Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure would amount to a war crime, warning such facilities are essential to civilians. The group also called for an investigation into a strike on a school in Minab that killed around 170 civilians.

Trump must retract deeply irresponsible threats that the USA would postpone strikes on #Iran’s power plants & energy infrastructure by 5 days pending the outcome of discussions on the “resolution of hostilities”.The decision to not proceed with such attacks must be based on the…
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) March 24, 2026

United Nations human rights experts also condemned the strikes as “unprovoked” and warned that attacks on civilian sites, including the Minab school, could constitute war crimes.

.@volker_turk calls for prompt investigations into the deadly airstrike on girls school in Minab, Iran. “There must be justice.”He urges all sides to halt further escalation & return to negotiations as the only path to lasting peace. @UN_HRC https://t.co/jLzHcMcXFB #HRC61 pic.twitter.com/SmNWlBtJ8V
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) March 27, 2026

Separately, the Council on American-Islamic Relations criticized Trump’s rhetoric and urged Congress to curb further escalation.

The war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliation across the Middle East. According to Amnesty, the conflict has killed at least 1,900 people in Iran, more than 1,116 in Lebanon and at least 16 in Israel.