Condemning threats by President Donald J. Trump to violate the law of armed conflict with respect to Iran.

affirms that efforts to defend United States security and interests must take into account potential harm to civilians and other protected persons and objects in foreign countries, consistent with international legal principles and our common humanity;

affirms that the destruction of cultural heritage is morally wrong, is a violation of international law, and that even threats of such destruction undermine years of public diplomacy demonstrating that the American people do not seek conflict with any cultural or religious group;

affirms that no violation of the law of armed conflict or human rights violation by Iran or its proxies permits or justifies similar violations by any other state;

urges President Donald J. Trump to use his bully pulpit to promote de-escalation of tensions with Iran rather than to threaten acts of war and violations of international law;

strongly condemns the President’s threats to destroy sites important to Iranian culture and to retaliate against Iran in a disproportionate manner; and

demands that the President avoid needless escalation with Iran and refrain from violating the law of armed conflict.