Rules of war must be respected in words and action, ICRC president says

ZURICH, April 6 (Reuters) – The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday urged governments to respect the rules of war in word and deed after U.S. President Donald Trump ratcheted up his rhetoric against Iran by threatening to  rain down “hell” on Tehran.

“States must respect and ensure respect for the rules of war in both what they say and what they do,” Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement. “The world cannot succumb to a political culture that prioritises death over life.”

She also said deliberate threats, in rhetoric or action, against essential civilian infrastructure and nuclear facilities must not become the new norm in warfare.

The ICRC statement referred to hostilities in the Middle East but did not name any governments.

Power plants, water systems, hospitals, roads, bridges, homes, schools and universities have all come under fire in a conflict that began with U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran at the end of February and has led Iran to hit targets across the region.

In his latest ultimatum to Iran, Trump has threatened to hit Iranian power plants and bridges unless it makes a deal by the end of Tuesday that would allow traffic to start moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for energy supplies.

Israel on Monday struck Iran’s largest petrochemical complex, Israel’s defence minister said.

(Reporting by Ariane Luthi; editing by Barbara Lewis)