UN rights chief Volker Turk slams 'sickening' war rhetoric after Donald Trump warns of civilisation’s end

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday issued a strongly worded rebuke of escalating rhetoric around the Middle East conflict, warning that threats against civilians and infrastructure could amount to the gravest international crimes.

“I deplore the tirade of incendiary rhetoric being used in the Middle East war over the last couple of weeks by all parties, including the latest threats to annihilate a whole civilisation and to target civilian infrastructure. This is sickening. Carrying through on such threats amounts to the most serious international crimes,” Türk said.

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He underscored that such language was not only inflammatory but dangerous, particularly when it fuels fear among civilian populations.

“Threats that spread fear and terror among civilians are unacceptable and must cease immediately,” he said.

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump warned in a post on Truth Social that a whole civilization would die tonight, in a stark message addressing Iran and the escalating war in Middle East.

Reiterating the legal framework under international humanitarian law, the UN rights chief stressed that any deliberate targeting of non-combatants would constitute a war crime.

“Under international law, deliberately attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime. Anyone responsible for international crimes must be held to account by a competent court,” Türk said.

Calling for urgent global intervention, he urged the international community to step in to prevent further escalation and safeguard civilian lives.

Türk’s remarks come amid intensifying hostilities and heightened rhetoric in the region, with growing concern among international observers over the risks of further escalation and the mounting humanitarian toll.