Iranians form human chains around power plants as Trump’s 48‑hour ultimatum looms
Tehran called citizens — including athletes and artists — to shield bridges and major power stations after President Trump warned he would 'destroy' Iranian energy infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened. The mobilization comes as the deadline nears and markets, already shaken by partial closures of the strait, watch for a wider regional escalation.
Apr 7, 2026, 10:51 AM EDT
Why it matters:
- A U.S. ultimatum threatening strikes on Iran's power infrastructure raises the risk of direct attacks on civilian systems and a wider regional war.
- Iran's government has mobilized citizens physically around vital sites, heightening the chance of confrontations and increasing pressure on global energy markets.
Driving the news:
- President Donald Trump gave Iran 48 hours to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and warned he would "attack and destroy" Iranian power plants if it did not comply.
- Tehran urged youths, students, athletes and cultural figures to form "chains of human shields" at power plants and bridges today; state TV and officials framed the action as a protest against what they call threats to civilian infrastructure.
- The administration's deadline was set for 20:00 Washington time on Tuesday, April 7 (00:00 GMT Wednesday), intensifying last‑minute diplomatic pressure.
State of play:
- Thousands turned out at sites including the Damavand power station in Tehran, the Bisotun plant in Kermanshah, Shahid Rajaei and facilities in Tabriz and Qazvin; students even formed a human chain on Dezful's historic bridge.
- Musicians and public figures such as Ali Gamsari and Benyamin Bahadori have publicly positioned themselves near threatened infrastructure to deter attacks.
- Iran has partially closed the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict and allows passage only to vessels it deems friendly; the restriction has already pushed oil prices and market volatility higher.
The risk:
- Deliberate strikes on civilian infrastructure can constitute a war crime under international humanitarian law, a point Tehran emphasizes to rally domestic and international opinion.
- The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20% of global oil flows; further disruption would sharply raise energy costs and deepen global market shock.
- Iran's military warned it would retaliate against U.S. energy, IT and desalination infrastructure in the region if Washington attacks Iran's energy sites, raising the prospect of wider damage to regional systems.
What to watch:
- Whether Iran will reopen the strait to all commercial traffic before the deadline and whether the U.S. follows through on military threats.
- Last‑minute diplomacy by regional actors such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt that officials say are trying to avert escalation.
- Oil prices, shipping patterns through Hormuz, and any signs of U.S. or allied force movements toward Iranian energy hubs.
The bottom line:
- Mass civilian mobilization around Iran's energy infrastructure has become the immediate flashpoint as a U.S. ultimatum and Iran's warnings put global markets and regional stability at acute risk.