Iranians who oppose the war devised a ploy to thwart potential U.S. or Israeli attacks on critical infrastructure, forming human chains around a bridge near Dezful and a power station in Tabriz to create a human shield, Iranian state media reported.

State media also said that the human chains were meant to protect sites that Iranians feared would be targeted, following President Donald Trump’s threats of destroying energy plants and other critical infrastructure if Iran fails to agree to a deal satisfactory to the United States.

Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to serve as a mediator between Washington and Tehran as it passes messages back and forth, but neither side has softened its position. Washington has held firm to its demands that Iran yield its entire stockpile of enriched uranium, dismantle its nuclear program, cease supporting its proxy terror groups across the Middle East, restrict its missile program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire. Tehran has continued to insist on a permanent end to the war, guarantees for the Strait of Hormuz and war reparations, while refusing to make concessions on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“There are no negotiations with the United States, which wants Iran to surrender under pressure,” an anonymous source told Reuters. “We will show flexibility when the United States shows flexibility.”

Iran has warned of dire consequences if the U.S. strikes its energy facilities.

“If the United States attacks Iran’s power stations, the entire region, including Saudi Arabia, will be plunged into total darkness,” the source said. “If the situation spirals out of control, Iran’s allies will also close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.”

Israel has continued to strike deep inside Iran.

“We are striking the terrorist regime in Iran with increasing force,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “Yesterday we destroyed transport aircraft and dozens of helicopters, and today we attacked railway lines and bridges used by the Revolutionary Guards.”

“These actions, which I approved together with the defense minister, are not intended to harm the Iranian people,” he added. “On the contrary, they are meant to weaken and crush the regime of terror that has oppressed them for 47 years.”