TEHRAN- Renowned Iranian composer and tar virtuoso Ali Ghamsari has announced his decision to station himself at the Damavand Combined Cycle Power Plant —a critical facility providing nearly half of Tehran’s electricity—to serve as a symbolic human shield against ongoing aggressions targeting Iran's national infrastructure.

In a video message released on Monday, the acclaimed musician stated that he would remain at the plant as an independent artist, away from any political factions, to create music in solitude while standing in solidarity with the Iranian people. "With my tar, I will become a shield for the electricity of 40 percent of Tehran," Ghamsari declared, emphasizing his devotion to the country’s survival.

Ghamsari, recognized for his history of social activism, emphasized that his critical stance regarding the country’s internal challenges does not diminish his profound sense of patriotism.

"In these days, we are facing irreparable attacks on our country's vital infrastructure, such as bridges and industrial factories; an event that targets Iran and its people to push them back toward the Stone Age," the artist remarked. 

Expressing a deep fear for the nation's future, he added: "I wish for the light of my own life to be extinguished before a more serious stage of infrastructural war turns off the lights of my country’s homes. I hope my eyes never see even an inch of our soil being separated."

Addressing the current conflict, Ghamsari warned that "the goal of war is by no means salvation," urging the public to remain vigilant. He also touched upon the recent tragedy in Minab, stating that after mourning the victims of the unrests in January, the shedding of the blood of the girls of Minab made it impossible for him to remain silent.

"We have been hurt, but we will rise again," Ghamsari concluded, expressing faith that the Iranian people, backed by thousands of years of history, will navigate this crisis through the guidance of their "only honest and impartial media"—their hearts.

Ghamsari founded the band Sarmad at the age of 18. Afterwards, he established the Hamnavazan-e Hesar Ensemble and the Iranian String Quartet. At the age of 22, he gained fame by composing the album Naghsh-e Khiyal with Homayoun Shajarian. Since then, he has composed over 15 albums, collaborating with several traditional singers such as Alireza Ghorbani, Mohammad Motamedi, and Vahid Taj.

He has performed in many countries, including France, Morocco, Spain, the U.S., the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Russia, and Canada.

The recent aerial strike by US-Israeli forces on a strategic bridge in Karaj has been condemned as a blatant violation of international law and a direct assault on the Iranian civilian population. This heinous act is viewed as part of the broader, unprovoked war of aggression imposed on Iran by the United States and the Zionist regime, which commenced on February 28. 

These tactical strikes coincide with escalating threats from Donald Trump, who has openly called for the systematic destruction of Iran’s power plants and critical industrial infrastructure. By targeting the nation’s energy grid and water resources, the US administration seeks to dismantle the pillars of modern Iranian life, a move described by many observers as infrastructural terrorism. Such threats underscore the hostile intent to push the Iranian people toward an era of hardship by cutting off the very lifelines—electricity and water—that sustain the capital and its surrounding provinces.

SAB/