The situation has escalated with missile strikes, military warnings and political statements signalling rising stakes for the region and global energy markets.
Meanwhile, Iran has urged its citizens to defend the critical infrastructure in the country.
Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth has reportedly urged country’s athletes, artists and students to form human-chains around the critical power and energy buildings.
Alireza Rahimi, identified by Iranian state television as secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents Affairs, appealed to “all young people, athletes, artists, students, university students and their professors” to protect key infrastructure, as per news agency The Associated Press (AP).
Also Read: Iran-US-Israel War Live Updates
Iran’s Prez claims 14 mn youth ready to sacrifice
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed on Tuesday that millions of citizens had volunteered to sacrifice their lives for the country amid the ongoing war.
“Over 14 million proud Iranians have, up to this moment, declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives in defence of Iran,” a rough English translation of Pezeshkian’s post on X (formerly Twitter) read.
“I too have been, am, and will be a sacrificer for Iran,” he added.
The figure is nearly double the volunteer numbers previously cited by Iranian state media, which had been encouraging citizens through text messages and broadcasts to support the war effort, reported AP.
Iran reportedly has a population of around 90 million.
Also Read: Trump’s deadline for Iran approaching, here’s how US Prez’s schedule looks like
Iranian musician guards power plant
Iranian musician Ali Ghamsari, a composer and Tar player, also announced that he will stay at Damavand power plant which is responsible for providing about half of Tehran’s electricity to help prevent attacks on Iran’s infrastructure, Iran’s Embassy in Australia said.
Iranian musician Ali Ghamsari, a composer and Tar player, announced that starting today, he will stay at Damavand power plant responsible for providing half of Tehran’s electricity with his instrument for some time, creating music to help prevent attacks on Iran’s infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/DxzOkbofqj
— Iran Embassy in Australia (@IraninAustralia) April 7, 2026
Trump threatens strikes, global concerns grow
The confrontation stems from Iran blocking shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since March 2, after attacks by Israel and the US on February 28, which triggered the ongoing war.
Trump has warned that if Tehran fails to restore shipping traffic by the deadline, the US could target civilian infrastructure such as the bridges and power plants. “The entire country can be taken out in one night,” he said.
Trump’s remarks have also been linked as a potential war crime. The threat has raised concerns internationally.
Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, cautioned against such action, saying attacks on civilian infrastructure would be “unacceptable”.
Also Read: Iran’s latest strike on Saudi can trigger a new supply shock | Explained
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, also warned that strikes on civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law.
Regional tensions escalate
The crisis has already triggered military activity across the region. Iran launched seven ballistic missiles towards Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia early Tuesday, April 7.
Authorities said the missiles were intercepted, though debris fell near energy facilities.
In response to the threat of further attacks, Saudi Arabia temporarily closed the King Fahd Causeway, the only road link between the kingdom and Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
Separately, the military of Israel issued a warning in Farsi advising Iranians to avoid trains during the day, stating: “Your presence puts your life at risk,” it said, signalling that the US and Israel plan to attack civilian infrastructure across Iran.
Activists also reported fresh strikes on Tehran that Israel later said it had carried out.
Also Read: Trump’s F bomb leads to US lawmakers seeking his removal under 25th Amendment
Meanwhile, at least 18 people were reported to have been killed in Iran’s Alborz province, AP reported citing Iranian state media. At least 24 others were injured in the strikes, as per judiciary’s Mizan news agency.
