US response fails to answer legal question over threats to bridges, power stations and desalination plants

THE WHITE HOUSE has defended President Donald Trump after The Pembrokeshire Herald asked whether international law would constrain any US military action following his remarks about bombing bridges, power stations and desalination plants in Iran.

In response to a question sent by this newspaper on Friday (Apr 3), a White House Press Office spokeswoman issued a strongly worded statement attacking the Iranian regime, but did not directly address the legal point raised by The Herald.

She said: “The Iranian regime has committed egregious human rights abuses against its own citizens for 47 years, just murdered tens of thousands of protestors in January, and has indiscriminately targeted civilians across the region in order to cause as much death as possible throughout this conflict.

“As President Trump said, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and the Iranian people welcome the sound of bombs because it means their oppressors are losing.

“The President will always stand with innocent civilians while annihilating the terrorists responsible for threatening our country and the entire world with a nuclear weapon. Greater destruction can be avoided if the regime understands the seriousness of this moment and makes a deal with the United States.”

The Herald had asked whether the President believed international humanitarian law continued to apply in light of protections for civilian infrastructure and facilities essential to civilian survival.

The newspaper also asked the White House to set out the legal basis on which such threats or actions would be considered lawful.

No direct legal justification was provided in the response.

Instead, the White House framed the issue as part of a wider effort to pressure Iran over its nuclear ambitions and its conduct in the region.

The exchange follows President Trump’s public remarks about striking key Iranian infrastructure, which have prompted wider scrutiny over whether such targets would be lawful under the rules of armed conflict.

The White House statement, however, offered no further explanation of how threats against bridges, power stations or desalination plants could be reconciled with international legal protections for civilian sites.

That omission is likely to fuel further questions over the administration’s position, particularly as tensions continue to rise.

Castlemorris man denies affray and criminal damage charges

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of threatening enforcement officers with a knife during an incident at his home near Mathry.

Simon Coll, 59, is charged with affray and two counts of criminal damage following the incident at Pant y Blodau, Castlemorris, in the early hours of February 26.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week that three Excel enforcement officers had attended the property to secure vehicles.

“The officers had a conversation about securing some of the vehicles at the property, and then knocked on the door wearing body worn cameras,” she said.

“The defendant opened the door and immediately became aggressive towards them, brandishing a knife, and asking, ‘Do you want some?’”

Body worn camera footage was shown to the magistrates, in which the enforcement officers could be seen running away while shouting at Coll to put down the knife.

Coll is further accused of causing £387 worth of damage to a windscreen and wheel clamp belonging to Excel Enforcement.

He denies all three charges.

Although magistrates agreed to retain jurisdiction, Coll elected for trial by jury.

The case has now been sent to Swansea Crown Court, where proceedings are due to begin on Friday (May 8). Coll was released on unconditional bail.

Defendant accused of assaulting woman at Pembroke Leisure Centre and will stand trial in June

A PEMBROKE woman has appeared before magistrates charged with assaulting a woman at Pembroke Leisure Centre.

Kaycee Blake, aged 35, of Devon Drive, Pembroke, is accused of assaulting a woman by beating during an alleged incident at the leisure centre on September 27, 2025.

Blake appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where she denied the charge.

Her trial has been listed for June 1 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. She was released on unconditional bail.