"The deadline is approaching: The Pentagon is reported to want to strike Iran's military and civilian dual-use energy facilities."

As U.S. President Trump’s so-called “final ultimatum” to Iran approaches its expiration, the Pentagon was reported on the 6th to have included Iran’s dual-use military and civilian energy facilities on its strike target list. Reports say that if Trump dispatches ground troops into Iran, it could cause this already unpopular war in the United States to continue further. If Trump chooses to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure, it would clearly violate international law and could lead to war crimes charges. To avoid this outcome, the U.S. intends to emulate Israel by targeting Iran’s dual-use military and civilian facilities. Two U.S. Department of Defense officials, speaking anonymously, said that Iran’s energy facilities that provide fuel and electricity to both civilians and the military could be considered “legitimate” targets. Another anonymous U.S. official stated that there is considerable debate within the Pentagon about how to distinguish between military and civilian targets, such as whether desalination plants that serve both military and civilian needs can be listed as strike targets. (CCTV News)