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

The recent statement suggesting that “Iranians that think they’re going to live should be worried” is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. Language that broadly threatens the lives of an entire national population crosses a dangerous moral line. When public figures speak in ways that appear to normalize the destruction of a people, it echoes the very rhetoric that has historically preceded atrocities and mass violence. No political conflict or military objective can justify statements that imply the collective targeting of civilians. International law is clear: civilians must never be treated as legitimate targets, and calls that appear to threaten an entire people risk legitimizing acts that could amount to genocide. We condemn any rhetoric that dehumanizes or threatens the lives of millions of ordinary people. Leaders and media figures have a responsibility to speak with precision and humanity, especially during times of war. The safety, dignity, and humanity of the Iranian people — like all people — must be respected and protected. Words matter. When they normalize collective punishment or mass death, they endanger innocent lives and undermine the principles of international law and human rights that are meant to prevent genocide and protect humanity.