Top EU official says any targeting of energy sites would be “illegal” after Trump threat

European Council President António Costa stated on Monday that attacking energy facilities would be "illegal and unacceptable." This warning came after US President Donald Trump suggested that Iranian power plants could be targeted if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Although Costa did not mention Trump directly, he emphasized that targeting civilian infrastructure, especially energy sites, is against the law. The White House has confirmed that the US military will follow legal guidelines, but legal experts told CNN that strikes on civilian sites, like power plants, could be considered a war crime. Costa noted on X that the Iranian civilian population suffers the most due to its government's actions and would face the biggest consequences if military actions escalate. On Sunday, Trump hinted at potential attacks on Iran's key infrastructure, posting on social media, "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran," and urged Iran to "open the Fuckin’ Strait." Costa also called on Iran, which has attacked energy facilities in Gulf countries, to stop its assaults in the region and to restore full freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.