President Pezeshkian: 14 million Iranians ready to ‘sacrifice lives’ as US ultimatum looms

WEB DESK: The Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has claimed that more than 14 million citizens have volunteered to defend the Islamic Republic, as regional tensions reach a boiling point following a direct military ultimatum from Washington.

This defiant rhetoric comes as the 8:00 PM Eastern Time deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches, threatening the “complete demolition” of Iran’s national infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened immediately.

A surge in revolutionary zeal

In a message posted on social media, President Pezeshkian asserted that millions of “brave Iranians” had officially declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives for the nation.

The figure is widely believed to reflect the reported membership of the Basij, the volunteer paramilitary wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which often mobilises during periods of existential threat.

Embracing a tone of personal martyrdom, the President added that he remains a “sacrificer for Iran,” a move designed to bolster national morale as the threat of an American bombing campaign against power plants and bridges becomes increasingly imminent.

The human shield strategy

Beyond the presidential rhetoric, the Iranian government has called for a civilian-led “human chain” to protect critical assets from potential airstrikes.

The Deputy Sports Minister has urged athletes and students to surround key infrastructure, effectively using civilian presence as a deterrent against the high-precision strikes threatened by the Trump administration.

While international analysts view the “14 million” figure as a form of psychological warfare intended to signal internal unity, the move underscores a desperate shift in Tehran’s strategy as it prepares for a conflict that many fear could return the country’s infrastructure to the “Stone Age.”