Welch and Blumenthal Warn that Trump’s Threats to Bomb Civilian Infrastructure in Iran Could Amount to War Crimes

The Senators request information from Central Command about how CENTCOM ensures U.S. Forces in the Middle East abide by U.S. law prohibiting strikes against targets such as bridges or power plants for the sole purpose of terrorizing civilians  

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, alongside U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, expressed grave concern to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that President Trump’s recent threats to bomb civilian

infrastructure in Iran, including bridges and power plants, could amount to war crimes. In their letter to CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, the Senators seek clarification and answers about the United States’ commitment to ensuring forces under CENTCOM’s command abide by the domestic and international laws of war. 

“As you know, intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure could amount to a war crime, prohibited by domestic and international law. The mere threat of such attacks may violate the law of war,” wrote the Senators. “The law of war prohibits attacks against civilian objects, indiscriminate attacks, and attacks expected to cause excessive harm to civilians in relation to the direct military advantage anticipated. The law of war also prohibits threats of violence to spread terror among the civilian population.”  

The Senators highlighted that in determining that Russia had committed war crimes in Ukraine, the U.S. State Department specifically cited Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure: “General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Commander of EUCOM and SACEUR, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that such Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, in addition to being unlawful, were strategically ineffective, noting ‘anytime you attack a civilian population, you usually end up finding that it just hardens their resolve.’” 

The Senators concluded: “The U.S. military has a reputation—earned through the hard work and sacrifices of brave men and women who serve our nation— for honorable service and for upholding very high standards under the law of war. Not only is this a reflection of American values, but it is militarily effective. Targeting civilians undermines the mission, creating even more enemies while undermining our national security and damaging the global standing of the United States. Thank you for your service and for ensuring that CENTCOM forces uphold these values.” 

The Senators requested answers to the following questions by July 30, 2026: 

1. Are you legally responsible for any targeting decisions by commanders and personnel under your command? Do you consider CENTCOM officials signing off on targeting packages to be legally responsible for such decisions under the law of war? 

2. Are officers under your command aware that under the doctrine of command responsibility they have a duty to ensure subordinate personnel are following the law of war, a duty to investigate potential war crimes, a duty to hold accountable those who commit them, and that dereliction of such duties would likely constitute a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice? 

3. Will you ensure that forces under your command conduct a documented case-by-case analysis of the legality for each proposed target in Iran that could constitute civilian infrastructure, assessing whether such targets offer a concrete and direct military advantage and whether the expected harm to civilians is not excessive compared to that anticipated military advantage? And will you commit to maintaining the records of such analysis and providing them to the relevant Congressional committees, including on a classified basis, upon request? 

4. Will you order an investigation of any significant civilian casualty events resulting from U.S. military actions in Iran? 

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to U.S. Admiral Cooper.