Hegseth’s call for ‘no mercy’ to Iranians deemed war crime

The threat to take no prisoners in a conflict is illegal under US and international law

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing accusations of violating domestic and international laws prohibiting war crimes by declaring that “no quarter” or mercy would be given to Iranian forces.

The legal definition of the term means surrendering Iranian soldiers would be executed by American troops rather than taken prisoner. US officials and legal...