Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Monday indicated that the U.S. would not launch attacks on Iranian culture sites, breaking with President Trump’s threat to target those sites if Iranian-backed forces initiated strikes on Americans or U.S. assets.
“We will follow the laws of armed conflict,” Esper told Pentagon reporters when asked if he would be willing to target Iranian culture sites, according to Reuters.
When asked whether his response meant that targeting such sites would be a war crime, Esper responded, “that’s the laws of armed conflict.” He did not expand on his position or Trump’s threats against Tehran.
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JUST IN: Pentagon chief says US will "follow laws of armed conflict" after Trump's Iran threats https://t.co/OBQPxRBdTO pic.twitter.com/x1DVvAjO9P
— The Hill (@thehill) January 7, 2020
Good on Esper for stating U.S. military would not target cultural sites because it's a war crime.👇
1. More shameful that Pompeo was unwilling to make a similar statement.
2. How foolish that Trump threatened Iran, as a form of deterrence, with actions the DoD would never allow https://t.co/3PNAHtWt5s
— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) January 6, 2020
They are obligated to refuse illegal orders, and the secretary of defense today said that we would follow the laws of armed conflict. https://t.co/OqToWjkkcD
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 6, 2020
Pentagon Rules Out Striking Iranian Cultural Sites, Contradicting Trump
Start the Esper firing clock.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) January 7, 2020
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