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Iran human shield row: As Trump calls out Tehran's 'illegal' move, White House addresses ceasefire
As President Donald Trump’s 8 PM ET deadline approaches, the White House addressed a Pakistan-proposed ceasefire deal
As President Donald Trump’s 8 PM ET deadline approaches, the White House addressed a Pakistan-proposed ceasefire deal. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in an email to The Associated Press, stated that the president ‘has been made aware of the proposal, and a response will come’. This comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he has urged Trump to extend the deadline set for Iran, furter calling for a two-week ceasefire.
Trump calls out Iran's ‘illegal’ move
On Tuesday, disturbing reports emerged about Iranian authorities urging civilians to gather at sensitive sites, including power plants and bridges. According to accounts circulating from inside the country and shared with the Daily Mail, state messaging encouraged public presence at infrastructure locations - potentially to deter or complicate any incoming strikes.
“They are announcing on national TV - come to the streets and bring your children," one source with family inside Iran told the Daily Mail. “It's their thing to use people as human shields. Same pattern as in Palestine. They do this instead of surrendering or making a deal.”
Read More: 'Civilizations don't die by bombing': Iran embassies respond to Trump's threat
“In Iran, they are gathering in groups and sheltering around infrastructures, just because they know Trump said we will bomb these facilities. They are announcing this on national TV in Iran - to come to the streets and bring your children. It's their thing to use people as human shields. Same pattern in Palestine. They do this instead of surrendering or making a deal.”
Trump, meanwhile, reacted to these reports. “Totally illegal,” he said in a phone call with NBC News. “They’re not allowed to do that.”
Trump’s warning raises stakes
The escalating panic follows Trump’s own stark warning on social media, where he outlined potential consequences if Iran fails to comply.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will,” he wrote.
Read More: Pakistan done playing peacemaker? May end up on US-Israel side vs Iran due to Saudi defence pact
In cities like Tehran and Isfahan, residents were reportedly scrambling to leave urban centers, with highways reportedly clogged as families head toward rural areas in search of safety. Supermarkets are being emptied as people stockpile essentials amid fears of blackouts and supply disruptions.
“My internet connection keeps cutting out for long periods. If our chat stays on Instagram, it could put me in serious danger - the regime randomly connects people's phones to the internet in the streets and checks their apps. I have to delete our chat. Wishing you a path full of success,” one person told the Daily Mail.
