Iran urges civilians to form human chains protecting power plants as airstrikes intensify

Airstrikes struck Tehran on Tuesday as Iranian officials called on young people to form human chains around power plants, responding to escalating military pressure ahead of President Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The directive reflects Iran's defensive posture as it faces threatened infrastructure strikes if it does not comply with U.S. demands by the deadline's expiration. The standoff carries global significance given the Strait of Hormuz's role in transporting roughly one-third of world's seaborne oil, directly affecting energy prices and Western economies. The escalation represents a critical flashpoint in U.S.-Iran tensions with potential consequences for international trade and regional stability.