Pezeshkian: 14M Iranians ready to defend Iran amid US deployment
Shafaq News- Tehran
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday said more than 14 million citizens have volunteered to defend the country, as the United States moves to deploy additional forces to the Middle East.
On X, Pezeshkian affirmed that he shares the same commitment to defending Iran.
بیش از ۱۴ میلیون ایرانی غیور تا این لحظه اعلام آمادگی کردهاند جان خود را برای دفاع از ایران فدا کنند. من نیز جانفدای ایران بودهام، هستم و خواهم بود.#جان_فدا
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) April 7, 2026
Separately, Republican Senator Tom Cotton, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, disclosed the deployment of a US military unit specializing in missile operations to the region.
Today, the brave men and women of Arkansas’ 142nd Field Artillery Brigade depart for the Middle East.Arkansas is thankful for their service. May God protect them.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 6, 2026
The developments come as US President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire or reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 20 hours, setting a new cutoff at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday (12:00 a.m. GMT the following day) after an earlier 10-day ultimatum. He warned that critical civilian infrastructure could be targeted if no agreement is reached, while Iran has threatened retaliatory action against Israel and US-linked facilities across Gulf states.
Read more: Long war with Iran: A repetition of history, but with even less preparation
