Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth has called on young citizens to form “human chains” around power plants nationwide, describing the act as a symbolic defense of national infrastructure.
The call comes ahead of a Tuesday deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to destroy Iran’s bridges and power plants if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“This action [the human chain] has been formed at the suggestion of the youth themselves,” said Alireza Rahimi, Deputy of Youth Affairs.
“A number of university youth, young artists, and youth organizations proposed that we form a human ring or human chain around the country’s power plants.”
At least about 14 million are said to have volunteered.
Symbolic Resistance and Strategic Shifts
Iranian officials have branded the initiative the “Human Chain of Iran’s Youth for a Bright Future.” They say it reflects commitment to protecting infrastructure and building resilience.
“We hope that with the participation of young people across the country, this human chain will be formed around the power plants, and it will be a sign of the youth’s commitment to protecting the country’s infrastructure and building a bright future,” Rahimi added.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has “changed permanently.”
Plans include imposing transit fees on ships and banning vessels from the U.S. and Israel, signaling a strategic shift in control over the vital waterway.
Global Reactions And Escalations
Trump told reporters Monday he was “not at all” concerned about committing possible war crimes, refusing to rule out civilian targets.
Iran rejected a 45‑day ceasefire proposal, insisting on guarantees against future attacks.
“We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of Iran’s diplomatic mission in Cairo, told Associated Press.
The conflict escalated Monday when U.S. and Israeli strikes killed more than 25 people in Iran. Tehran responded with missile fire targeting Israel and Gulf Arab neighbors.
Elsewhere, Malaysia confirmed one of its stranded vessels was allowed passage through the Strait following talks led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Japan announced the release on bail of a detained NHK journalist, while South Korea warned of dwindling medical supplies due to disrupted naphtha imports.
Iran has staged similar human‑chain demonstrations in the past, notably around nuclear sites during heightened tensions with the West.
Late Saddam Hussein of Iraq also deployed human shields during the 1991 Gulf War.
The tense situation has ramped up diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
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