On Tuesday, state media in Iran aired a call from Secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents Alireza Rahimi, urging young people to form human chains around power plants across the country, framing the move as a patriotic defense of “national assets” amid rising tensions.
“Power plants… belong to the future of Iran and to the Iranian youth,” Rahimi said, calling on students, artists, and athletes to gather starting at 2 p.m. local time.
The directive comes as President Donald Trump escalates pressure on Tehran, warning that failure to strike a deal by his 8 p.m. ET deadline could trigger sweeping attacks on Iran’s infrastructure.
“We have a plan… where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again,” Trump said Monday, describing what he called “complete demolition.”
The confrontation centers on reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. tying any broader deal to restoring traffic through the global energy chokepoint.
Tehran’s response — mobilizing civilians to physically surround infrastructure — raises serious humanitarian concerns.
Rights groups have already accused Iran’s security apparatus, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, of involving minors in wartime activities. Amnesty International said it verified images of children, some as young as 12, carrying weapons and appearing alongside security forces at checkpoints and public rallies.
If civilians are positioned around military or strategic targets, experts warn, it blurs the line between protected populations and potential targets — a dangerous escalation in an already volatile conflict.
Meanwhile, diplomatic off-ramps appear uncertain.
Reports indicate Iran has floated a 10-point ceasefire proposal, described by at least one U.S. official as “maximalist,” suggesting a wide gap remains between the two sides as the deadline approaches.
This story is developing…
Fox News’ Ainsley Earhardt: “Iran is urging its youth to gather as human shields and form these human chains around the power plants.”
Trey Yingst: “If they do that, that is illegal under international law. You can’t use human shields on the battlefield.” pic.twitter.com/Qnt4zdklrW
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) April 7, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: Iran is now forming HUMAN CHAINS in front of a power plant in Kazerun in a bid to dissuade President Trump’s strikes come 8PM
They even invited children to attend.
This is evil and disgusting. Iran views their people as meat shields! pic.twitter.com/44N4tMhOQZ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 7, 2026
