Iran's president says 14 million have offered to risk their lives just to stand up to Trump
Key Points:
- President Trump set an 8 p.m. deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to destroy all Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not comply, escalating tensions significantly.
- Iran responded by mobilizing millions of volunteers to defend the country, including calls for civilians to form human chains around critical infrastructure, while the Revolutionary Guard warned of retaliatory attacks on U.S. allies and regional oil supplies.
- Intense airstrikes struck Tehran and other Iranian locations, killing dozens, while Iran launched ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia and fired on Israel, prompting temporary closure of a key bridge and heightened regional instability.
- International leaders and experts condemned the potential U.S. strikes as violations of international law and warned they could constitute war crimes, urging restraint to avoid further escalation.
- The ongoing conflict has disrupted global oil supplies by Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices above $108 per barrel, while indirect diplomatic talks continue with mediators racing to prevent an outbreak of wider hostilities.