Targeting Iran’s Infrastructure by the US and Israel From the Perspective of International Law
On 9 Esfand 1404 (March 1 2026) the United States and the Zionist regime launched coordinated attacks against Iran. During the initial wave of attacks Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei the Supreme Leader of Iran along with several senior military commanders and government officials were martyred.
Introduction
On 9 Esfand 1404 (March 1, 2026), the United States and the Zionist regime launched coordinated attacks against Iran. During the initial wave of attacks, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, along with several senior military commanders and government officials, were martyred. The targets of the attacks included nuclear facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan, and Bushehr), missile bases, air defense systems, and key infrastructure. The US described this action as "preemptive self-defense," while Israel characterized it as a "preventive" measure to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Notably, these attacks began while diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran were underway in Geneva, mediated by Oman, with the third round of talks concluding only two days prior to the strikes.
Over the course of approximately forty days of aggressive war against Iran, the US and the Zionist regime repeatedly targeted Iran’s civilian infrastructure. Among the most significant targets were:
- Energy Infrastructure: Oil storage facilities, refineries, and gas fields, including the South Pars gas field;
- Water Infrastructure: Attacks on the desalination plant in Qeshm Island and the cutting off of water supply to 30 villages;
- Transportation Infrastructure: Attacks on at least eight railway lines, multiple airports, as well as roads, bridges, and public transport networks;
- Communications and Telecommunications Infrastructure: Attacks on telecommunications infrastructure and buildings of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB);
- Scientific and Research Facilities: Targeting the Pasteur Institute of Tehran, a research and public health center with over a century of history and a member of the International Pasteur Network.
Additionally, attacks on the massive Mobarakeh Steel Complex, a hub of Iran’s industry, and the Mobarakeh Power Plant are considered other instances of targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure.
Legal Analysis
- The Principle of Distinction
In International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the fundamental principle dictates that parties to an armed conflict must at all times distinguish between civilians and civilian objects on the one hand, and combatants and military objectives on the other. Targeting civilian infrastructure is illegal and prohibited. The principle of distinction is the cornerstone of IHL regarding the conduct of hostilities. This principle is codified in Article 48 and Article 52(2) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977) and is also established under customary international law. According to this rule, attacks must be directed solely at military objectives, and directing attacks against civilian objects is strictly prohibited. Civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, residential areas, and vital critical infrastructure, is inherently protected and should not be targeted. The mere existence of "potential military connection" cannot justify attacks on facilities that are predominantly civilian.
- The Principle of Proportionality
Article 51 of Additional Protocol I addresses the principle of proportionality. Under this principle, even if a piece of infrastructure qualifies as a legitimate military objective, an attack is prohibited if it may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, or damage to civilian objects that would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.
This principle is of vital importance, particularly regarding infrastructure with dual-use capabilities—i.e., facilities used for both military and civilian purposes. For example, a power plant may supply electricity to both military installations and hospitals, schools, and residential homes. In such cases, the attacker is obligated to assess, prior to launching an attack, whether the damage caused by the disruption of civilian services (such as the loss of power to hospitals and water purification systems) would be excessive compared to the anticipated military advantage. Widespread damage to critical infrastructure, such as water, electricity, and healthcare facilities, which has affected the lives of millions of civilians, clearly violates this principle.
- Special Protection for Certain Infrastructure
Certain types of infrastructure enjoy special and enhanced protection:
a) Objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population: Under Article 54 of Additional Protocol I, it is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove, or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as drinking water installations and supplies, foodstuffs, and agricultural areas. The use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is also prohibited.
b) Works or installations containing dangerous forces: Under Article 56 of Additional Protocol I, works or installations containing dangerous forces, such as dams, dykes, and nuclear electrical generating stations, shall not be made the object of attack, even where these objects are military objectives, if such attack may cause the release of dangerous forces and consequent severe losses among the civilian population.
- Prohibition of Indiscriminate Attacks
Attacks that are not directed at a specific military objective or employ a method or means of combat which cannot be directed at a specific military objective, or whose effects may not be limited as required by international humanitarian law, are prohibited. For example, the use of heavy bombs in urban areas, which cannot distinguish between military and civilian targets, constitutes indiscriminate attacks.
- Duty of Precautions in Attack
Parties to the conflict are obligated to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects. These duties include:
- Taking all feasible precautions in the choice of means and methods of attack with a view to avoiding, and in any event to minimizing, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, and damage to civilian objects;
- Doing everything feasible to verify that the objectives to be attacked are military objectives and not civilians or civilian objects;
- Refraining from deciding to launch any attack which may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects, or a combination thereof, which would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated;
- Giving effective advance warning of attacks which may affect the civilian population, unless circumstances do not permit.
Conclusion
In accordance with Article 52 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, only infrastructure that plays a direct role in military operations may be targeted. The deliberate targeting of civilian objects, including civilian infrastructure, constitutes a war crime under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in Article 8, explicitly defines "intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects" in international armed conflicts as a "war crime." Furthermore, violations of the principles of proportionality and precaution can, under appropriate circumstances, lead to international criminal liability. The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that "deliberate or disproportionate attacks on critical infrastructure may amount to a grave breach of international humanitarian law, creating a situation where nothing is safe."
Nevertheless, the United States and Israel targeted vital facilities, including oil refineries, power transmission centers, fuel storage tanks, water supply lines, telecommunications facilities, and others. Contrary to the military justifications provided, such attacks have disrupted the lives of millions of civilians. The destruction of energy and water resources not only has negative and destructive effects on public health but can also devastate the food security and economic stability of society.
Consequently, from the perspective of international law, the US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s infrastructure (particularly nuclear, water, electricity, and transportation facilities) lack any legal justification and constitute aggression and war crimes. Moreover, in light of the principles outlined in United Nations reports regarding the "protection of critical infrastructure during war," these actions violate fundamental principles of humanitarian law.
Ehsan Mohammadi, Expert at the Center for Political and International Studies
(The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the IPIS)