PANews reported on March 26 that, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, an Iranian military source stated that in addition to the more than one million ground combat personnel already mobilized, a large number of Iranian youths have recently submitted applications to the Basij militia, the Revolutionary Guard, and military centers, requesting to join the war effort. He added, "The US wants to force open the Strait through a 'suicide' operation? No problem. We are prepared, both to let them execute their suicide strategy and to keep the Strait closed."