UN secretary general António Guterres called on the United States and Israel to refrain from attacking Iran’s power plants and other civilian infrastructure, warning that such strikes would violate international law.

“Even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective, international humanitarian law would still prohibit attacks against them if they may be expected to cause excessive incidental civilian harm,” Mr Guterres’ spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in New York on Monday.

He added that it was “high time for the parties to stop this conflict, as there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes”.

The warnings come as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with the destruction of all bridges and power plants if it did not comply with his latest ultimatum.

Speaking at the White House, Mr Trump said the U.S. could carry out “complete demolition” within four hours.

The deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments, expires Tuesday evening (Wednesday 0000 GMT).

(dpa/NAN)