Iranian officials, citing media reports, have asked young people to form human chains around power plants as a show of solidarity after President Donald Trump issued a hard deadline and threatened to strike Iranian infrastructure. Alireza Rahimi, secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, made the appeal in a video calling on students, athletes, artists and professors to encircle power stations. The move follows aggressive social media posts and public comments from Mr. Trump warning that Iran "could be taken out in one night" and that "a whole civilization will die tonight." The exchange has raised concerns about a possible escalation and the safety of civilians and critical infrastructure.
Iran Appeals for Youth to Form Human Chains Around Power Plants as U.S. Deadline Looms
Iranian officials have urged young people across the country to form human chains around power plants in response to escalating threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to state media and international reports.
Alireza Rahimi, identified by Iran's state television and the Associated Press as secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, appeared in a video message on Tuesday calling on "all young people, athletes, artists, students, and university professors" to link hands and encircle power stations. Rahimi said the effort was intended as a peaceful demonstration of solidarity and protection for critical infrastructure.
Context and Timeline
The appeal came after a series of forceful social media posts and public comments from President Trump. Two days earlier, he posted that he might "lay waste" to Iran's power plants and bridges if his demands were not met by an 8 p.m. ET deadline. At a subsequent press conference, the president warned Iran could be "taken out in one night." On Tuesday morning he posted on Truth Social, according to reports: "A whole civilization will die tonight."
"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F*ckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah," one post attributed to the president said, as reported by media outlets.
Reactions and Risks
Media and analysts warn that such exchanges of rhetoric risk escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and could put civilians, infrastructure, and regional stability at greater risk. Iranian officials framed the youth-led action as a peaceful, symbolic show of unity around essential services, while U.S. statements were described by observers as aggressive and inflammatory.
Independent verification of any immediate military action was not reported at the time of these statements. Coverage of the events has been carried by outlets including the Associated Press and Mediaite, which first highlighted Rahimi's appeal following the president's messages.
What To Watch: Officials' next public statements, any changes in military posture from either side, and reports from on-the-ground media or international monitors for signs of escalation or de-escalation.
Help us improve.
