West Asia conflict: Why has Iran called for ‘human chains’ to counter U.S.?

Iran’s Deputy for Youth Affairs and Secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, Alireza Rahimi, has called for the formation of human chains around key power plants and nuclear sites in the country.

This comes shortly after the deadline set for Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump to open the Strait of Hormuz. 

Mr. Trump has warned that the U.S. would target Iranian infrastructure, specifically bridges and power plants, if the key water passage is not reopened. 

The deadline is set to expire at 3.30 a.m. local time (5.30 a.m. IST) on Wednesday, April 8 2026. 

Why did Iran call for ‘human chains?’

Mr. Rahimi, in an interview with the Government Information Base, said that “On Tuesday, at 2 PM, a human chain will be formed around power plants across the country with the presence of youth, artists, organisations, and more.” He added that “attacks on public infrastructure constitute a war crime.”

The Ministry of Sports and Youth have called upon students, university professors, artists and athletes to participate in this symbolic gesture regardless of their political and religious affiliations.

The X account of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting posted about a prominent Iranian tar player, Ali Ghamsari, stationing himself at Iran’s largest power plant near Tehran, Damavand. It added that Mr. Ghamsari will stay there to prevent attacks on the country’s infrastructure. 

How have Trump and the U.S. reacted?

Mr. Trump has stated that he is “not at all” worried about potential war crime accusations, asserting that the U.S. will strike “extremely hard” to resolve the conflict. The U.S. deadline for Iran to de-escalate and open the Strait of Hormuz has shifted in the recent past. During an Easter event, he stated this deadline is “final” and “highly unlikely” to be extended again. He has also threatened to send Iran back to the “Stone Age” and that the country’s infrastructure would be “burning, exploding, and never to be used again.”

What does this mean for the West Asia conflict?

Iran’s call for human chains comes hours before the deadline by the U.S. While speculation is rife, this could mean an escalation in hostilities and additional military confrontations.  Ever since the U.S. and Israel launched a massive wave of airstrikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, and the immediate closure of the Strait, prices of fuel and other essential commodities have gone up across the world.