Iran war: US officers face choice between disobeying Trump’s orders or committing war crimes

🚨BREAKING:

'There are increasing fears within Trump’s current and former advisory circle that the President may consider ordering a NUCLEAR STRIKE on Iran’

Source: The Guardian https://t.co/Yn21aIAPZl pic.twitter.com/4KKv4zdO4m

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 7, 2026

Legal experts warn that threats by Donald Trump to bomb Iran’s civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes and place U.S. military officers in a difficult position between obeying orders and upholding international law.

Threats by Donald Trump to launch large-scale attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure have raised concerns among legal experts that U.S. military officers could face a stark choice between obeying presidential orders and committing war crimes. Trump warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face massive strikes, declaring on Truth Social: “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell.”

Legal scholars and former military lawyers say attacks on power plants and bridges serving millions of civilians would violate international humanitarian law. Former judge advocate generals Margaret Donovan and Rachel VanLandingham wrote that such rhetoric “would amount to the most serious war crimes,” adding that the president’s statements risk placing U.S. service members “on a path of no return.”

Experts note that U.S. troops are trained to refuse unlawful orders, though doing so in practice can be difficult. Political scientist Charli Carpenter cited historical precedents such as the My Lai massacre, where some soldiers refused to participate. However, analysts warn the pressure of military hierarchy and fear of punishment for insubordination could complicate decisions if such orders were issued.

READ MORE AT THE GUARDIAN.