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Iran Calls Athletes to Shield Power Plants as Trump Issues Bombing Ultimatum

Iran's Deputy Sports Minister has called on athletes and artists to form human chains around the nation's power plants. This drastic move is a direct response to an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to destroy Iranian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. Trump warned of a massive bombing campaign targeting electric plants and bridges, aiming to render them useless. Iranian and international officials have condemned the threats as potential war crimes and incitement to terrorism.

Key Points: Iran Urges Human Chains at Power Plants Amid US Ultimatum

  • US threatens to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges
  • Iran calls for human chains as deterrent
  • Ultimatum linked to Strait of Hormuz reopening
  • Officials warn of war crimes and terrorism incitement
  • IAEA voices concern over nuclear plant safety
3 min read

"These are our wealth and belongings": Iran's Sports Minister calls on athletes and artists to form "human chains" around power plants

Iran's sports minister calls for human shields at power plants after Trump's threat to bomb Iranian infrastructure. Tensions escalate over Strait of Hormuz.

"These are our wealth and belongings - Alireza Rahimi"

Tehran, April 7

Amid escalating tensions and direct threats from the US to target civilian infrastructure, Iran's Deputy Sports Minister, Alireza Rahimi, has called on the nation's athletes and artists to form "human chains" around power plants, a symbolic and physical attempt to deter potential airstrikes following a series of specific ultimatums from US President Donald President Trump.

In a video message, he invited all youth, athletes, artists, students and faculty on Tuesday at 2 PM (local Iran time) to gather near power plants. "These are our wealth and belongings", he said in the message.

The call for human shields comes in response to President Trump's recent "8:00 PM deadline" (Washington time, Tuesday night) for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has warned that failure to comply will result in a simultaneous, massive bombing campaign aimed at "each and every one" of Iran's electric generating plants and bridges.

Trump stated on Monday that the goal would be to leave these facilities "burning, exploding, and never to be used again" within a four-hour window.

During a White House press briefing, Trump said, "The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night."

Trump also gave an ultimatum to Iran to make a deal before Tuesday, 8:00 P.M ET, warning that there'll be "no bridges, no power plants" after that.

Trump said that this is a "critical period" and Washington has given Tehran the necessary time to make a deal to put this war to an end.

"This is a critical period... They asked for an extension of seven days; I gave them 10 days... They have till tomorrow. Now we will see what happens... A lot of people are affected by this. We are giving them until tomorrow, 8 o'clock, Eastern Time. After that, they are going to have no bridges. They are going to have no power plants. Stone ages," Trump said.

"Attacking public infrastructure is a war crime," Rahimi stated on social media. "We will stand hand in hand to say: civilian lives are not targets." Iranian officials at the United Nations have echoed this sentiment, arguing that the US threats constitute "incitement to terrorism" and a violation of international law regarding the protection of civilian life-support systems.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has also voiced "deep concern" after recent projectile strikes landed near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, emphasizing that energy infrastructure should never be a military target.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an outsider looking in, this is terrifying. The rhetoric from the US President is incredibly reckless. Targeting civilian infrastructure is indeed a war crime. The international community needs to step in and de-escalate this immediately.
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Vikram M
While I sympathize with the civilians, the Iranian government's actions have led to this point. The Strait of Hormuz is a global chokepoint. A balanced approach is needed, not threats to send a country back to the "stone age." This affects global oil prices and our economy too.
P
Priya S
My heart goes out to the ordinary people of Iran. Artists and athletes forming human chains... it's so sad it has come to this. War only brings suffering. Hope diplomacy wins at the last moment. 🙏
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Rohit P
The IAEA chief is right to be concerned. A strike near a nuclear plant? That's playing with fire for the entire region. India has good relations with both sides. We should offer to mediate. This instability is bad for all of Asia.
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Karthik V
With respect, while the human chain is symbolic, it won't stop a missile. This feels like the government putting its own citizens in harm's way for propaganda. The real solution is at the negotiation table, not with ultimatums from either side.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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