US Govt Accused of War Crimes in Iran, Trump Threatens “Annihilation”
NEWS & RESEARCH
Despite President Trump’s claims that Iran struck its own citizens, a UN fact-finding mission found reasonable grounds to believe the US was behind military strikes on a school and a sports facility in February that killed 120 children, and that these constituted war crimes. UN experts said the school was a clearly identifiable civilian object and there was no evidence it was being used for military purposes. Similarly, the strike on the sports center in Lamerd damaging nearby residential buildings and a school, killing and injuring 22 civilians was indiscriminate and thus a war crime. Trump described the US Navy as “acting like pirates” to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy "every" bridge and power plant in Iran, warning a "whole civilization will die" unless the Strait is reopened. Meanwhile, in addressing the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2026, Trump doubled down on his prior Iran threat that “a while civilization will die tonight” by asserting that either Iran agrees to a deal or “I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly…” The threat, itself, is a violation of the UN’s charter.
SOURCES: New York Times | New York Times | Washington Post | Reuters | The Guardian | BBC | New York Times
ANALYSIS & OPINION
Over 100 international law experts have formally condemned these "serious violations of international law" for causing "serious harm to civilians." Yale law professor Oona A. Hathaway characterized the administration’s actions as "clearly unlawful and deeply misguided," noting that the traditional rules of engagement have been "completely thrown out." Analysts at the New York Times observed that no modern president has so openly discussed committing potential war crimes. The Guardian observed that Trump’s UN speech “may have upstaged the ghost of Nikita Khrushchev by openly contemplating the annihilation of a fellow UN member state.”
SOURCES: Just Security | New York Times | The Guardian
HOW TO FIX IT
Defund the Conflict: Reject all additional funding for military operations in Iran.
War Powers Resolution: Pass a resolution to block the Executive Branch from ordering further unauthorized strikes.
Accountability & Investigation: Launch a formal inquiry into the bombing of Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School and subsequent civilian casualties.
Impeachment: Consider impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump for abuse of power and war crimes.
Diplomatic Pressure: Push for a sustained ceasefire and an immediate end to the war.
Legislation: H.Con.Res.91 - Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran
