As tensions escalate between the United States and Iran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claims that 14 million Iranians, including himself, have volunteered to defend the country against potential US strikes. The announcement comes hours before the expiration of President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its critical infrastructure.
Trump’s Deadline Looms
Trump has warned that all bridges and power plants in Iran could be destroyed if the strait remains closed, citing Tehran’s grip on a crucial global oil transit route. “Every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night,” Trump declared on Monday, adding that power plants would be “burning, exploding and never to be used again.” The strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil transits, has become a focal point of the standoff.
Iranian Mobilization Efforts
In response, Iranian officials have called on citizens to form human chains around power plants and other infrastructure to deter potential strikes. Alireza Rahimi, secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, urged young people, athletes, and students to participate in protecting “national assets.”
President Pezeshkian posted on social media, “I too have been, am, and will remain ready to give my life for Iran.”
The Revolutionary Guard has also warned of retaliatory measures, including disrupting oil and gas supplies in the Gulf region. A general from the Guard called on parents to send their children to man checkpoints, which have been frequent targets of airstrikes.
International Concerns
World leaders have cautioned that strikes targeting civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that such attacks are barred by international law and could escalate tensions in the region. The UN has echoed calls for restraint amid fears of broader economic and geopolitical fallout.
As the deadline approaches, the situation in Tehran remains tense, with residents bracing for potential repercussions.