THE HAGUE

AN AMERICAN THREAT to give Iran the Newsom-Mamdani treatment could well amount to a war crime, says a leading human rights lawyer who was once tortured by the old Shah’s secret police.

“Iranians can deal with the bombs and the missiles, they can cope with the terrible economy, even the brutal regime, but don’t ask them to go full California or New York, that would constitute cruel and unusual punishment and probably constitute a war crime,” says Ahmad, who wishes to keep his full name secret. “My people are courageous, and no one wishes for this theocracy to end more than I, but I beg Trump, even if he is just joking, not to consider the Newsom or Mamdani option. I would take up arms myself to avoid that.”