The United States faces mounting international criticism following recent attacks and threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure, prompting concerns from legal experts and humanitarian organizations that such actions could constitute war crimes. On Thursday, a US airstrike damaged the B1 suspension bridge, a key link between Karaj and Tehran.

This strike occurred a day after President Donald Trump’s national address on Wednesday. During his address, President Trump warned that if Iran did not agree to an unspecified deal, US forces would target "each and every one of their electric-generating plants" and aim to "bring [Iran] back to the stone ages." Following the bridge attack, President Trump shared images of the damage online, adding, "Much more to follow!" Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also reportedly told journalists that the US did not recognize "stupid rules of engagement." Earlier last month, President Trump had suggested the US might conduct strikes on Iran "just for fun."

Humanitarian groups and legal scholars have strongly condemned the US actions and rhetoric. Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), stated that deliberate attacks on essential services and civilian infrastructure might constitute war crimes. Erika Guevara Rosas, a senior director at Amnesty International, underscored that intentionally attacking civilian infrastructure, such as power plants vital for millions, is generally prohibited. She added that such actions would be disproportionate and unlawful under international humanitarian law, potentially amounting to a war crime.

On Thursday, over 100 US experts in international law released a letter expressing "serious concerns about violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes," regarding US conduct and official statements. They highlighted that the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law protect civilian objects from attack unless they serve a definite military advantage. The principle of distinction requires combatants to avoid targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The International Criminal Court (ICC) statute specifies that intentionally directing attacks against non-military civilian objects is a war crime, a principle reinforced in 2024 when the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian officials Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov for allegedly targeting Ukraine’s power infrastructure.

The conflict has had a severe impact on Iranian civilians, with reports indicating that over 82,000 residential units have been hit by US and Israeli strikes, affecting 180,000 people. Many Iranians describe significant economic hardship, exacerbating existing sanctions. Some business owners have been forced to close operations and furlough staff. Civilians recount frequent bombings near residential areas, with one individual noting that initial terror had become "normal" after several days. While some Iranians expressed national pride, others spoke of profound distress, including one woman who attributed her 65-year-old mother's death to stress from the conflict. Many expressed fear and a reluctance to speak openly, while some sought refuge abroad or returned to be closer to endangered relatives.