'World's biggest war criminals': Netizens rip into Trump, Netanyahu over Iran war rhetoric

Outrage erupted online after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed their threats of military action against Iran, prompting commentators to label the two as “the world’s biggest war criminals.”

Speaking alongside Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Monday, Trump threatened to “eradicate” any attempt by Tehran to advance its nuclear program or bolster its ballistic missile capabilities.

“I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down," Trump said, threatening that a future US assault “may be more powerful than the last time.”

The US joined the Israeli military aggression against Iran in June, striking three peaceful nuclear sites in the country. Trump attempted to justify the aggression by repeating unverified claims that Iran could develop nuclear weapons within two months.

The rhetoric drew immediate condemnation from social media users, analysts, and journalists, criticizing the US and Israel for recklessly escalating tensions in West Asia. Some warned that Washington’s deference to Israeli interests has repeatedly drawn the US into unnecessary wars.

Jon Hoffman, a research fellow, said in a post on X that Netanyahu has lobbied for US-led regime change in Iran for decades. He said that American deference “makes sound statecraft impossible.”

Writer Tiberius added in a separate post that Netanyahu had misled the American public for years about Iran’s nuclear program while Israel maintains its own nuclear arsenal.

Other commentators highlighted the human and geopolitical costs of renewed aggression against Iran.

X user Power to the People called Trump and Netanyahu the “world’s biggest war criminals,” warning that any aggression against Iran could result in widespread civilian casualties.

US citizen Araquel Bloss urged global action, tweeting that a US strike “for Israel” must be met with a worldwide general strike, describing Trump and Netanyahu as “the most dangerous men alive.”

Journalist Tom Hennessy criticized US domestic priorities, saying that while US infrastructure lags and immigration issues persist, Trump repeatedly promises war with Iran on Israel’s behalf.

A foreign policy analyst raised concerns about the legality of a potential strike, warning that international law requires formal authorization for military action. He also criticized Trump for effectively “allowing” Netanyahu to strike Iran without Congress or the UN Security Council permission.

"Since when does authorization for the use of force come from Trump rather than the Security Council? And since when is war no longer declared by Congress?"

Another X user pointed to broader regional destabilization, writing that Trump and Netanyahu’s threats signal further war in Iran, potential mass displacement in Gaza, tensions in Yemen, escalating threats against Lebanon, and a slow war against Venezuela.

She also urged resistance groups to "open up all possible fronts" across the world.

Netanyahu has long pushed for a military strike on Iran, citing its nuclear program as a pretext. Yet, as journalist Glenn Greenwald said, the dynamic has shifted.

Greenwald said Israel’s prime minister may no longer need to take action directly because Trump has signaled his willingness to launch the aggression on Tel Aviv’s behalf.

Even if Iran’s previously targeted facilities have been destroyed, he said, the US president appears prepared to authorize strikes if Iran "rebuilds its ballistic missile capabilities."

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly declared that its missile program is strictly defensive, designed to deter attacks and protect the country.

Tehran has rejected Western calls to limit missile ranges to 500 kilometers, arguing that such restrictions would leave the nation vulnerable to long-range threats.

Observers also warn that the aggressive rhetoric from the US and Israel, combined with the threat of renewed strikes, risks destabilizing the region, heightening tensions not only with Iran but across wider West Asia.

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