Iran President Condemns U.S. Strikes on Civilian Infrastructure as War Crimes

TEHRAN, July 26 (AP) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has condemned recent United States military strikes targeting Iran's civilian transport infrastructure as war crimes and announced that Tehran will pursue legal action against Washington in international courts. The declaration marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions following the attacks carried out earlier this week.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, President Pezeshkian described the U.S. operations as a deliberate assault on non-combatant assets designed to cripple Iran's economic mobility and internal logistics. He stated that the destruction of bridges, rail lines, and public transit hubs violated international humanitarian law and constituted an act of aggression against Iranian sovereignty.

"The United States has crossed every red line," Pezeshkian said during a televised address from Tehran. "Targeting civilian infrastructure is not a legitimate military strategy; it is a crime punishable under the statutes of the International Criminal Court." He confirmed that Iran's legal team would immediately file formal charges against U.S. officials responsible for authorizing and executing the strikes.

The United States has yet to issue an official statement addressing Pezeshkian's specific accusations regarding civilian casualties or the classification of the targets as non-military assets. However, American military briefings released prior to Saturday indicated that the operations were conducted in response to what Washington described as imminent threats posed by Iranian logistical networks supporting hostile activities in the region.

The strikes have disrupted critical supply chains across central and western Iran, severing key connections between major industrial centers and border crossings. Local officials reported significant damage to several highway overpasses and railway junctions, though casualty figures remain unconfirmed due to ongoing security assessments at the affected sites.

Pezeshkian's announcement of legal proceedings signals a shift from previous diplomatic protests toward formal judicial confrontation. The move aims to isolate Washington diplomatically by framing the conflict within the context of international law rather than solely as a regional military dispute. Iranian foreign ministry officials indicated they would seek support for their case at the United Nations and other multilateral bodies.

As both nations navigate this new phase of hostility, questions remain regarding the potential scope of further U.S. operations and Iran's capacity to retaliate beyond legal channels. The international community is watching closely as Tehran mobilizes its diplomatic resources while assessing whether Washington will engage in dialogue or maintain its current military posture. With no immediate de-escalation measures announced by either side, the risk of expanded conflict across transport corridors remains a primary concern for regional stability.