France, April 6 -- European leaders have underlined that targeting civilian infrastructure in conflict is illegal, as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East and fears grow over a wider escalation.

Speaking on Monday, EU Council president Antonio Costa said any strikes on civilian facilities - particularly energy infrastructure - were "illegal and unacceptable". His comments came after US President Donald Trump threatened to devastate Iranian infrastructure if Tehran failed to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Costa stressed that the principle applied universally, drawing parallels with Russia's war in Ukraine. He warned that ordinary Iranians would bear the brunt of any escalation, describing them as "the main v...