Iran has again rejected a proposal for a 45-day truce, even though the deadline set by US President Donald Trump to conclude a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz expires in a few hours. Iran has so far remained defiant, insisting on a permanent end to the war rather than a temporary ceasefire.
Human chain around power plants
On Tuesday, Iran’s Deputy Sports Minister Alireza Rahimi called on artists and athletes to form human chains at power plants across the country. “We will stand hand in hand to say: Attacking public infrastructure is a war crime.”
According to The Associated Press, he called on “young people, athletes, artists, students, university students and their professors” to gather around the power plants at 2 p.m. He described the facility as a national asset that belongs to the future of Iran and its youth.
14 million Iranians willing to sacrifice
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he, along with more than 14 million Iranians, is ready to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran.
“More than 14 million Iranians have declared that they are ready to sacrifice their lives in the campaign. I too was, am and will be ready to lay down my life for Iran.” Pezeshkian said in a post on X.
According to the AP, the 14 million is more than double what state media previously reported about volunteers the government solicited through text messages and media during the war.
The Revolutionary Guards general also called on parents to send their children to male checkpoints, which have been repeatedly targeted by airstrikes.
Trump’s Hormuz deadline
Earlier on Monday, Trump repeated his threat against Iran, saying “the whole country” could be taken out if a deal is not reached.
Trump gave Iran until 8pm in Washington to end the blockade of Persian Gulf oil through the Strait of Hormuz, saying he would destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran within four hours.
On Sunday, Trump took to social media to threaten Iran again, saying: “Open the fucking strait you crazy bastards or live in hell – JUST WATCH!”
The US president repeated his threat during his press conference on Monday, saying: “The whole country could be wiped out in one night, and that night could be tomorrow night,” he said. “Every bridge in Iran will be decimated… Every Iranian power plant will be out of order, burning, exploding and never to be used again.”
Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran blocks oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after Israel and the US attacked on February 28, starting a war. Although in the past few weeks Iran has allowed the passage of ships from “friendly” countries, traffic remains low, resulting in skyrocketing oil prices worldwide.
Earlier on Monday, Tehran rejected a proposal for a 45-day ceasefire and said it wanted a permanent end to the war. But as the deadline approached on Tuesday, officials involved in the process said indirect communication between the United States and Iran was still ongoing. Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are “racing against time” to reach a compromise before the deadline, they said.
Key things
- Iran is mobilizing citizens in response to external threats and emphasizing national solidarity.
- The situation underscores the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran over oil shipping routes.
- Diplomatic efforts remain essential as mediators try to avert another military conflict.
