The United Nations issued a Tuesday reminder about the Geneva Conventions and the standards of international humanitarian law amid the war in Iran. 

“Even wars have rules,” the U.N. wrote in a Tuesday post on the social platform X.

“The Geneva Conventions protect civilians in conflict and help ensure assistance reaches those in need, without discrimination,” the global intergovernmental organization added.  

Their statement follows President Trump’s Tuesday threat to wipe out a “whole civilization” if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his imposed 8 p.m. EDT deadline on Tuesday.

Some Democratic lawmakers have said the planned move to attack power plants and water desalination sites would constitute a war crime if carried out.

“GOP leaders need to stop him. Never mind that blowing up bridges and power plants and killing innocent Iranians won’t reopen the Strait. It’s also a clear war crime,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) wrote on X.

The Geneva Conventions are composed of four treaties that protect civilians, health and aid workers, the wounded, sick and shipwrecked soldiers and prisoners of war, according to the Red Cross.

Trump has repeatedly brushed off questions about the legality of Tuesday’s potential large-scale attack and slammed the U.N. late last year, describing it as an irrelevant body that has failed in its mission to ensure global security and stability.

“All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter and then never follow that letter up. It’s empty words, and empty words don’t solve war,” Trump lashed out at the body during a speech at the U.N. General Assembly’s 80th gathering.

Recently, more than 100 international law experts in the U.S. signed an open letter decrying U.S. strikes on Iran’s schools, health facilities and homes.

It follows statements from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who in early March said the U.S. does not fight with “stupid ​rules of engagement.”

“Public statements by senior officials indicate an alarming disrespect for the rules of international humanitarian law accepted by states, and which protect both civilians and members of the armed forces,” the letter read. 

Hours ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “Only the President knows where things stand and what he will do.”

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