Congress Must Stop Trump's Threats to Target Iranian Civilian Infrastructure

Congress must act immediately to prevent President Trump from attacking civilian infrastructure in Iran. On Monday, Trump threatened to destroy desalination plants that provide drinking water to millions of Iranians. Deliberately targeting essential civilian infrastructure is a war crime under international law, including the Geneva Convention. Trump may want to act like Putin or other dictators, but he is not above the law. These threats are not hypothetical. Both the U.S. and Iran have already struck civilian infrastructure during this conflict. Desalination plants in the Gulf region are vital for survival in one of the most arid areas on the planet. Destroying them would deprive entire populations of drinking water. Congress has the constitutional authority to check presidential war powers. Pass legislation now that explicitly prohibits attacks on civilian infrastructure and establishes consequences for violations. The International Court of Justice in The Hague exists to hold nations accountable for war crimes. America should not be among those nations brought before it for deliberately targeting civilians.