UN Chief Guterres warns Trump he could be charged with war crimes over Iran operation

Trump threatened Iran, “You’ll be living in Hell” if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t opened by Tuesday.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised alarm over U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to target Iranian infrastructure, warning that attacks on civilian sites such as power plants and bridges are restricted under international law, his spokesman said Monday.

“Yes. We were alarmed by the rhetoric seen in that social media post that threatened American attacks on power plants, bridges, and other infrastructure, should Iran not agree to a deal,” Stephane Dujarric said at the United Nations daily briefing on April 6, 2026.

Trump had written that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it,” and warned that “you’ll be living in Hell” if Tehran did not comply with his demands to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Dujarric said Guterres has consistently stressed the need for all parties to adhere to international law governing armed conflict. He reiterated that civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, may not be targeted.

“Even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective,” Dujarric said, such an attack would still be prohibited if it risks “excessive incidental civilian harm.”

The UN chief’s comments come amid escalating rhetoric tied to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and heightened sensitivity surrounding potential strikes on key infrastructure.

Dujarric added that any determination of whether such actions would constitute war crimes would ultimately be a matter for a court to decide.

Guterres has repeatedly called on all sides to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law in the conduct of hostilities.