Countdown to Confrontation: Iran warns US over threats to civilian infrastructure, saying it will respond decisively

Middle East Crisis: Last week, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with attacks on its power plants and bridges. Responding to the threat, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said it could amount to war crimes and warned the president that Tehran would respond "decisively, immediately, and regretfully" to any aggression or imminent threat, foreign media reported.

Iran Accuses US President of Publicly Threatening Actions That Could Breach International Legal Norms

In a post on X, he accused the US president of publicly threatening actions that may violate international law. "The American president, as the highest official of his country, has publicly threatened to commit war crimes," Kazem Gharibabadi said in a post on X, citing provisions of international law that could be breached.

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Tehran Labels Possible Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure as Clear Violations Under International Criminal Court Statute

He added that attacks on civilian infrastructure such as power plants and bridges would fall under war crimes as defined in Article 8(2)(b) of the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute.

"The threat to attack power plants and bridges (civilian infrastructure) is a war crime under Article 8(2)(b) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court," he added.

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Iranian Foreign Ministry Issues Strong Condemnation and Warns of Legal Consequences for Any Supporting Nations

Separately, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei condemned Washington’s threats to strike Iranian infrastructure, calling them "war crimes" and warning that any country supporting such actions would share legal responsibility.

Baghaei reportedly said that even issuing such threats amounts to a war crime. He referred to US statements about targeting "energy and industrial infrastructure" and accused Washington of giving Israel a "green light" to hit civilian targets.

Officials Stress Violations of International Humanitarian Law While Reaffirming Iran’s Diplomatic and Military Preparedness

He stressed that such actions would violate both international humanitarian law and the Statute of the International Criminal Court. The spokesperson added that Iran would continue diplomatic efforts alongside its military preparedness, guided by national interests, security, and the demands of its people.

He further warned that any country cooperating with the US in such actions would be held accountable under international law, including for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Focus Shifts to Upcoming White House Address and Expiry of Strategic Deadlines Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech at the White House on Monday at 1 pm Eastern Time (10:30 pm in India). Amid growing pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump has hinted at extending the deadline he gave Tehran. "Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time!" he wrote on social media shortly after issuing a stark warning urging Iran to "make a deal" or reopen the strait.

The development comes at a time when a 10-day pause in planned US strikes against Iranian power infrastructure is set to expire at 8 pm ET on the same day.