Overview
- Responding to Trump’s posts Tuesday, Pope Leo said threats to wipe out Iran’s “whole civilization” and to bomb power plants and bridges were “truly unacceptable” and illegal under the laws of war.
- Hours after the pope’s comments Tuesday, Trump announced a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire with plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz during the pause under Iranian coordination.
- UN officials warned that destroying civilian infrastructure would be a war crime, with the secretary-general “deeply troubled” by the rhetoric and the UN human rights chief condemning threats to annihilate a civilization.
- U.S. embassies in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia urged Americans to restrict movement or consider leaving, and outlets reported continued missile and drone incidents in the Gulf even as the truce begins.
- Pope Leo urged citizens to press elected leaders for negotiations, a call echoed by U.S. Catholic bishops, while experts noted that striking grids and bridges would endanger hospitals, water systems, and travel for millions and that reopening the Hormuz chokepoint could ease energy strains.