With U.S. President Donald Trump's ultimatum deadline having less than a full day remaining, both sides continued to exchange harsh rhetoric and launch attacks on each other.
The United States and Iran received a two-phase mediation proposal through intermediary nations including Pakistan, which calls for a ceasefire agreement followed by discussions on ending the conflict. However, concerns have emerged that with positions remaining tense until the last moment, a breakthrough may not be found and clashes could intensify again.
The escalating level of military exchanges between the two sides right before the deadline could also serve as a variable affecting the negotiations.
According to foreign media outlets including AFP and Reuters, on the 7th (local time), the Israeli military continued its second day of attacks on Iran's petrochemical complex.
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As the likelihood of a large-scale U.S. attack on Iranian power plants and other civilian infrastructure increases, Iran is essentially using its youth as human shields.
According to AP News and others, Iran's Youth Supreme Council urged in a statement on national broadcasting that "all young people, athletes, artists, students, university students, and professors" form "human chains" around power plants.
The Youth Supreme Council stated, "Our national assets and capital, the power plants, are the future of Iran and belong to Iranian youth, regardless of any preferences or political views."
AP reported that Iran has previously created human chains around power plants when tensions with the West over nuclear issues heightened.
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What a mess...
