Trump Asserts Iranians Accept US Strikes on Civilian Infrastructure
President Donald Trump on Monday asserted that Iranian civilians are willing to endure US strikes targeting their country’s infrastructure, stating they would accept the loss of power and essential services to achieve liberation from the Islamic Republic.
Addressing reporters in the White House press room, Trump dismissed concerns that bombing Iran’s power grid and civilian infrastructure would harm ordinary citizens rather than the regime. He claimed, without providing evidence, that US intelligence had intercepted communications from civilians near active bombing sites urging American forces to continue their strikes.
“Please keep bombing,” Trump quoted intercepted communications as saying, adding: “These are people that are living where the bombs are exploding.”
Democratic Lawmakers and Iran Denounce Threats as War Crimes
These statements emerged amid accusations from some Democratic lawmakers who warned that the administration was preparing to commit war crimes by targeting bridges and power plants. Senator Chris Murphy stated that Trump had indicated an intention to commit “mass war crimes.” Iran’s mission to the United Nations condemned the threats as “clear evidence of intent to commit war crime.”
Trump References 2022 Iranian Protest Crackdown to Justify Actions
Trump referred to the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest movement in Iran, describing snipers shooting female protesters “right between the eyes.” He argued that Iranians had endured such severe repression that they would accept nearly any cost for regime change. He characterized the crackdown as a small group of expert marksmen ending a march of 400,000 to 500,000 women with five or six targeted killings.
Warnings of Imminent Strikes and Deadlines for Iran
At the beginning of the press conference, Trump stated that Iran “can be taken out in one night, and that might be tomorrow night.” He reiterated a deadline of 8pm ET on Tuesday for the regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face extensive strikes on energy facilities and bridges.
Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon secretary who stood alongside Trump and Gen Daniel Caine, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, said that under the president’s direction, “today will be the largest volume of strikes since day one of this operation.”
“Tomorrow, even more than today,” he added.
Trump Responds to Geneva Convention Concerns
When a reporter questioned Trump about the legality of deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure under the Geneva Conventions, Trump replied:
“I hope I don’t have to do it, but again … 47 years they’ve been negotiating with these people. They’re great negotiators, and because they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump also stated he “can’t talk about the ceasefire,” and when asked whether the war is winding down or escalating, he said, “I can’t tell you.”
