Amid threats issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran has emphasized the scale of its civilian mobilisation, with President Masoud Pezeshkian stating that more than 14 million citizens have formally registered their willingness to defend the country as regional tensions intensify.
Officials described the figure as a strong sign of unity, with participation spanning students, professionals, and public figures, portraying the effort as a nationwide movement rather than a purely military response.
“Millions of Iranians have stepped forward to defend their country,” Pezeshkian said, presenting the mobilisation as a reflection of national commitment and resilience.
He wrote on X: “More than 14 million proud Iranians have so far registered to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran. I too have been, am, and will remain devoted to giving my life for Iran.”
Earlier, Iran rejected an ultimatum from the U.S. president.
Trump issued a series of social media posts demanding the immediate reopening of the strategic waterway, a key global oil route. He warned that failure to comply by Tuesday evening would lead to unprecedented military action, including strikes on critical infrastructure.
He referred to the deadline as “Power Plant Day” and “Bridge Day,” warning of severe consequences if the strait remains closed.