Iran Accuses US of War Crimes Following Attacks on Vital Infrastructure
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that the United States has committed war crimes. Araghchi said that US attacks on “vital infrastructure” and threats to strike bridges and power plants demonstrate “the criminal intent of the US government to commit heinous crimes”.
According to Al Jazeera on Thursday (16 July 2026), in a statement on Telegram, Araghchi asserted that the US attacks were “without doubt a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of international law”.
He said the attacks constituted a “grave international crime” under the fundamental principles of international criminal law, including the four Geneva Conventions of 1949.
He also added that “all governments are obliged to prosecute and punish those who commit such crimes”.
Araghchi further accused US officials of engaging in “irrational rhetoric and sinister threats”. He said the hostility was directed at the Iranian people “because they insist on their independence, their legitimate rights, and their human dignity”.
He warned that those responsible “cannot evade legal accountability merely on the pretext that they acted on the orders of superiors”.
Earlier, the United States military launched another wave of attacks against Iran. The latest strikes targeted a number of Iranian military facilities.
According to CNN and Al Jazeera on Thursday (16 July 2026), US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes targeted Iranian military facilities frequently used to threaten vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian news agency Mehr reported that explosions were heard in the city of Ahvaz, near the border with Iraq. Ahvaz has repeatedly been targeted by US forces since fighting resumed earlier this month.
In addition, explosions were also heard in Chabahar after US missiles struck a naval watchtower in the city. The watchtower is a civilian facility used for maritime security as well as search and rescue operations for fishermen.
A number of explosions were also reported in Bandar Abbas. The Mehr news agency added that US projectiles struck a location near the port city.