Washington, DC – Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council, issued the following statement regarding U.S. and Israel attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and statements by President Trump threatening to attack Iran’s electricity grid and desalination plants:
“The U.S.-Israel war on Iran increasingly appears aimed not at defeating a military adversary but instead at breaking the nation of Iran. The past days have seen repeated U.S.-Israeli attacks on civilian targets in Iran, including Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, one of the world’s preeminent universities; a major petrochemical plant in Asaluyeh; and the B1 bridge in Karaj, Iran. As Americans, we should be outraged that our government and Israel’s have so blurred the lines between civilian and military targets and are openly threatening to engage in war crimes that have little to no military value while inflicting disproportionate civilian harm.
“NIAC calls on the U.S. Congress to thoroughly investigate the targeting and threatening of civilian sites in Iran, including by utilizing all tools at Congress’ disposal including subpoena power to secure documentary evidence and testimony from relevant officials. Any actions that violate U.S. and international law regarding the conduct of war must be thoroughly investigated and appropriate accountability pursued. We cannot allow such brazen disregard for civilian life to be normalized.
“NIAC also reiterates that Congress must pass a war powers resolution directing the President to remove U.S. forces from Iran as soon as possible, including by ending the Congressional recess early. Moreover, NIAC calls on the United Nations and other international institutions to intervene and put a stop to these advertised crimes before they take place.
“President Trump can and should halt all bombing of Iran immediately, which would do far more to bring the war to a close than his reckless threats to attack more power plants, bridges and civilian infrastructure. The United States should pursue a permanent negotiated end to the war and must be prepared to use its leverage by putting sanctions relief on the table.
“While proposed mediations like a reported 45 day ceasefire proposal promulgated by Pakistan would not be without some merit, they remain disconnected from the realities of the war and the past experience of Iran being attacked twice by the U.S. and Israel amid negotiations. Iran is extremely unlikely to surrender its own leverage just to allow the U.S. and Israel with time and space to attack once again. This deficit of trust amid war is difficult to overcome, but it must if this war is to end before more civilians are harmed.”
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