Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has stated that 14 million citizens, himself included, are prepared to lay down their lives as tensions with the United States escalate.
The declaration was made on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, via a post on X, coming shortly before a deadline issued by U.S. President Donald Trump. Washington has warned it could target key infrastructure such as power stations and bridges if Tehran fails to ease its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Pezeshkian, the number of volunteers reflects a large-scale willingness among Iranians to participate in what he described as a “self-sacrificing” campaign. The figure is notably higher than previous estimates reported by state media, which had earlier cited lower numbers of volunteers recruited through text messaging campaigns and media outreach during the ongoing conflict.
Iran, with a population of about 90 million people, has seen internal tensions in recent times, with many citizens expressing anger over the government’s violent response to nationwide protests. Analysts suggest the announcement of such a high number of volunteers may be intended to deter any potential U.S. military action.
“More than 14 million Iranian people have declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives in the campaign,” Pezeshkian wrote. “I too have been, am, and will remain ready to give my life for Iran.”
The statement underscores the growing strain between Tehran and Washington, as both sides continue to exchange strong rhetoric amid the looming threat of military escalation.
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