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Iran's call for human shields exposes its war crime

Source: smh.com.au

TL;DR

Iranian officials called on civilians to form human chains around power plants ahead of a US missile strike deadline set by Trump.
Deputy minister Alireza Rahimi urged youth, athletes, students and others to circle the sites at 2pm Tuesday, with state media showing gatherings.
This act meets the legal definition of a war crime under the Rome Statute by using protected persons to shield military objectives.

The story at a glance

Iran's regime urged civilians to act as human shields at power plants to deter threatened US strikes by President Trump over energy targets. Deputy minister for youth and sport Alireza Rahimi made the public call, timed to Trump's deadline, while state media broadcast footage of people gathering. The piece reports this amid a new US-Iran war, with Trump opting for a two-week ceasefire instead of attacks. Trump faces war crime accusations for his rhetoric threatening Iran's entire civilisation.

Key points

Iranian state broadcaster aired footage of citizens, including women waving flags, forming chains at power plants, bridges and gates, apparently ready to face strikes.
Rahimi's statement: “I invite all the youth, athletes, artists, university students and professors to come tomorrow, Tuesday, at 2pm, and circle the power plants which constitute national assets and capital.”
Internet blackout in Iran prevents full verification of whether gatherings were voluntary or coerced.
Regime executed nine young political prisoners last week and uses child soldiers at checkpoints, per former prisoner Shiva Mahbobi.
Using human shields violates Article 8(2)(b)(xxiii) of the Rome Statute's Elements of Crimes, as it intends to shield military objectives with civilians.
Trump threatened "total demolition" of Iran and strikes on power stations but chose a ceasefire; prior US strikes killed over 100 schoolgirls.
Iran attacked power and desalination plants in Kuwait, contrasting with Trump's restraint on similar targets.

Details and context

The call for human shields came as Trump neared a deadline for strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, part of a broader US-Iran war sparked about 39 days earlier over issues like the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program. Iran's regime faces survival pressures, continuing executions, media censorship and dissent crackdowns despite the conflict.

Trump's rhetoric, including warnings that "a whole civilisation will die tonight," drew war crime claims for not limiting threats to military targets, though actions like the ceasefire show restraint. Legal experts note human shields increase civilian risks if attacks proceed, turning defence into provocation.

Mahbobi, speaking to the BBC, highlighted overlooked regime abuses like child soldiers, underscoring how focus on Trump overshadows Tehran's repression.[[1]](https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/trump-stands-accused-but-a-chilling-message-has-exposed-iran-s-own-war-crime-20260408-p5zm1w.html)

Key quotes

Alireza Rahimi, deputy minister: “I invite all the youth, athletes, artists, university students and professors to come tomorrow, Tuesday, at 2pm, and circle the power plants which constitute national assets and capital.”
Shiva Mahbobi, former political prisoner to BBC: “Using children as shields was a crime against humanity. I didn’t see any media really talking about [executions of nine political prisoners].”

Why it matters

War crimes by either side complicate accountability in the US-Iran conflict and risk escalating civilian suffering. It spotlights Iran's repressive tactics, which could rally opposition if strikes had happened but now draw limited scrutiny amid Trump's threats. Watch whether the two-week ceasefire holds, as Iran has accused early violations and Trump may resume strikes if talks fail.