WANA (Jul 23) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has accused the United States governing establishment of attempting to destroy the foundational rules of international humanitarian law and normalising war crimes, in response to threats by U.S. officials regarding attacks on civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, without regard for international rules.

 

According to the spokesman, no order serves as authorization to commit a war crime, and invoking superior orders to justify war crimes does not absolve the perpetrators of criminal responsibility.

 

Baghaei stated that the U.S. administration intends to sacrifice whatever remains of international humanitarian law, moral foundations, and human civilization to its insatiable appetite for war and bloodshed.

 

He described a policy that prescribes the destruction of bridges and power plants as manifestly illegal and criminal. He further characterized such a policy as an example of retaliation and collective punishment—actions that are explicitly prohibited as war crimes under both international law and U.S. domestic law, specifically citing Title 18 U.S.C. § 2441 (the War Crimes Act).

 

The spokesman emphasized that these crimes are not subject to a statute of limitations. He added that the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the U.S. Department of Defense Law of War Manual clearly stress that military personnel have a legal and moral duty to refuse to obey manifestly illegal orders from superiors.

 

Baghaei concluded by asserting that Iran stands firm and resolute against defiance of the law and lawlessness.