Iran has issued a sharp warning to the United States, saying any military attack on its territory would lead to retaliation against Israeli targets and US military bases across the region.
Speaking in parliament, Iranian Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran would not limit itself to defensive reactions and would take pre-emptive action if it detected real and immediate threats.
“Let it be clear,” Qalibaf said. “In the event of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories and all US bases and ships will be legitimate targets.”
His remarks come as Iran faces its most serious wave of anti-government protests in years. Demonstrations, initially sparked by rising inflation and economic hardship, have spread nationwide and evolved into broader political demands calling for an end to clerical rule.
Authorities have imposed a near-total internet blackout, making independent verification difficult. Human rights groups say dozens of protesters, including children, have been killed, while hundreds more have been injured and arrested.
Iran’s attorney general warned that anyone participating in protests would be considered an “enemy of God,” a charge that can carry the death penalty under Iranian law.
The Iranian army and the Revolutionary Guard have both pledged to defend the country’s “national interests,” accusing Israel and hostile groups of trying to destabilize Iran.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Iran’s leadership, saying the country “wants freedom” and that Washington stands ready to help. Iranian officials view such statements as interference and part of a broader effort to encourage unrest.
Israeli officials, according to multiple sources, have placed their security forces on high alert amid concerns that tensions could quickly escalate into regional conflict.
Despite heavy crackdowns, protests have continued in Tehran and other major cities, with crowds banging pots, lighting fireworks and chanting slogans supporting Iran’s former monarchy.
A senior US intelligence official described the situation as an “endurance game,” with protesters trying to sustain pressure while Iranian authorities attempt to restore control without provoking foreign intervention.
As tensions rise on both the streets and the diplomatic front, Iran’s warning signals that any miscalculation could rapidly turn the internal crisis into a wider regional confrontation.
