1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand immediate action in response to deeply alarming statements by President Trump indicating his intent to target civilian infrastructure in Iran. In recent days, the President has publicly threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s electricity systems and to begin strikes on major power facilities “with the biggest one first” if his demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz are not met. These are not vague remarks—they are explicit threats to destroy civilian energy infrastructure that millions of people depend on for basic survival. Such actions would be illegal. Under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, parties to a conflict are strictly prohibited from targeting civilian objects and infrastructure indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. This includes electricity systems, water supply, and other essential services. The principle of distinction requires that military forces differentiate between civilian and military targets. The principle of proportionality prohibits attacks that would cause excessive harm to civilians relative to any anticipated military advantage. Deliberately targeting civilian energy infrastructure—particularly at the scale being described—would almost certainly violate these principles. Furthermore, long-standing international norms have treated nuclear energy facilities as especially sensitive and effectively off-limits due to the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental risks associated with their destruction. Public reporting indicates that potential targets could include major power plants such as the Bushehr facility, which is a civilian nuclear energy site monitored by international authorities. Any strike on such a facility would risk mass civilian harm and environmental disaster. These are not hypothetical concerns. They are foreseeable consequences of the actions being openly discussed. When the President of the United States publicly threatens to carry out attacks that would likely constitute violations of international law, Congress has an obligation to respond—clearly, forcefully, and immediately. Silence in this moment is complicity. Beyond the legal implications, the moral stakes are clear. Intentionally destroying infrastructure that sustains civilian life—cutting off electricity, water, and essential services to millions—would inflict widespread suffering on people who have no role in this conflict. It would deepen an already escalating war, invite further retaliation, and accelerate a cycle of violence with no clear end. It would also further isolate the United States globally and undermine any claim to leadership on human rights or the rule of law. I urge you to take immediate action: - Publicly condemn the President’s threats to target civilian infrastructure in Iran. - Make clear that such actions would violate international law and must not be carried out. • Oppose any funding that could be used to execute or support these attacks. • Demand urgent hearings and oversight regarding the administration’s war plans and legal justifications. • Reassert Congress’s constitutional authority over war powers and take steps to prevent further unauthorized escalation. • Call for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomatic engagement. This is a critical moment. The United States must not cross a line that cannot be undone. The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure is not strategy—it is a war crime. Congress must act now to prevent it.