According to a report by The Times of Israel, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has defended remarks suggesting that a US threat to strike Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, would be consistent with the rules of warfare, describing such action as “perfectly acceptable” under international norms of land warfare.
The comments come after US President Donald Trump renewed a threat to “knock out” every Iranian power plant and bridge, escalating rhetoric that has drawn attention to potential targets mentioned in his statement.
Speaking during an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Waltz said moving forward with such threats “would be an escalatory ladder,” while defending the principle behind the remarks.
He also stated that Iran and its proxy groups have a “long history” of deliberately concealing military infrastructure within hospitals, schools, residential neighborhoods, and other civilian assets, adding that “they have no ground to stand on.”
It is perfectly acceptable in the rules of land warfare,” Waltz added, referring to the potential targeting of infrastructure he described in his comments.
“So this is just a ridiculous argument,” he said, while also noting claims that Iran has used drones and missiles to strike hotels, resorts, and homes across the Gulf region.
Waltz maintained his position throughout the interview, reiterating that such criticisms of the US stance were unfounded.
The remarks highlighting potential strikes on Iranian infrastructure follow Trump’s renewed language about targeting power plants and bridges, which Waltz addressed in his broader defense of US military posture.
According to Waltz, any move to carry out such threats would be viewed as part of an “escalatory ladder,” a term he used to describe the risks associated with increasing levels of military action.
He reiterated that Iran and groups aligned with it have historically embedded military capabilities within civilian infrastructure, including public facilities and residential areas, reinforcing his justification for the position he outlined.
Waltz also referenced what he described as past actions involving drones and missiles used against civilian-linked locations such as hotels, resorts, and homes across Gulf countries, presenting it as part of his argument.
Throughout the interview, Waltz maintained that the criticisms directed at the US position were without basis, reiterating that his comments reflected established principles of warfare as he described them.
His remarks were delivered in response to ongoing questions about the implications of recent threats and the interpretation of international rules governing armed conflict, as he outlined during the broadcast segment….See More
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