NBC’s Garrett Haake asked Karoline Leavitt at Monday’s White House briefing about President Trump threatening to blow up civilian infrastructure in Iran if they do not come to a deal “shortly.” Trump posted this morning on “Truth Social”: “If for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched.’ This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year ‘Reign of Terror.'” “Under international law, striking civilian infrastructure like that is generally prohibited,” Haake said. “Why is the president threatening what would amount to potentially a war crime with the US military?” “And how do you square that with the administration repeatedly saying that the US does not target civilians?” “Look, the president has made it quite clear to the Iranian regime at this moment in time, as evidenced by the statement that you just read, that their best move is to make a deal,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “Or else the United States armed forces has capabilities beyond their wildest imagination, and the president is not afraid to use them.” “Potential war crimes?” Garrett Haake followed up. “That’s not what I said, Garrett, and you’re saying the word ‘potential’ for a reason, because I’m sure some expert is telling you that in your ear to try to ask me that question,” Leavitt said. “Of course, this administration and the United States armed forces will always act within the confines of the law, but with respect to achieving the full objectives of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is going to move forward unabated, and he expects the Iranian regime to make a deal with the administration.” “Which of those objectives would destroying a desalination plant most help?” Haake asked without an answer.
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