Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., sharply criticized President Donald Trump this weekend, asserting that the president’s recent threats to target Iranian civilian energy and transportation infrastructure would amount to “war crimes” under international law.
The exchange began Sunday after Trump vowed to strike Iran’s power plants and transportation networks if the Iranian regime does not move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, Merkley took to social media to condemn the proposal, suggesting that such military actions would violate global legal standards regarding the protection of civilian targets.
“President Trump’s profanity-laden Easter threat to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure—power plants and bridges—are the words of a frustrated and immoral madman,” Merkley wrote in a post on X. “Many experts agree that such attacks would be war crimes under international law.”
READ: “OPEN THE F—IN’ STRAIT”: Trump Threatens To Send Iran To “Hell” On Tuesday At 8:00 PM
Beyond the legal critique, the Oregon senator issued a direct message to the Pentagon, arguing that the chain of command has a responsibility to evaluate the legality of any such strike.
“To our military leaders, remember this: You are legally required to refuse orders to commit war crimes,” Merkley added.
The tension follows a series of escalations regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil supplies.
While the administration has maintained that all options remain on the table to ensure the freedom of navigation, Merkley’s remarks highlight a growing domestic debate over the boundaries of executive military authority and the definition of legitimate targets in potential foreign conflicts.
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