Donald Trump escalates threats to hit Iranian bridges and power plants

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Donald Trump has doubled down on his threat to bomb Iran’s civilian infrastructure if the country does not strike a deal to end the war. The US president said American forces would take out “every bridge” over four hours, starting tonight, and that strikes would also target power stations. Such acts would constitute war crimes under international law, which prohibits deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure. This doesn’t appear to concern Trump, who has dubbed today as “power plant day and bridge day”. He has been buoyed by the rescue of an American airman downed over western Iran, even though the episode reflected Iran’s continued ability to hit back at the US. Trump has allowed other deadlines to come and go throughout his presidency, including during this war. But he has backed himself, and his country, into a corner.