Iran has issued a warning to Israel and the United States, threatening retaliatory attacks in the event of a U.S. military strike in support of nationwide protests against the country’s authoritarian leadership.
Speaking to the Arab broadcaster Al Araby, Iranian parliamentary spokesperson Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that:
“Any American attack would lead to strikes against Israel and regional U.S. military bases as legitimate targets.”
The statement was reported by ATSH and shared via a post on the platform X.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly expressed support for the massive protests unfolding across Iran.
“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” Trump said, adding:
“The United States is ready to help!!!” in a post on his platform Truth Social.
According to the New York Times, citing U.S. officials, President Trump has recently been briefed on new military strike options against Iran. The newspaper reported that Trump is considering acting on his threat to strike the country over the violent suppression of protests.
Data from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) indicate that at least 116 people have been killed during the two weeks of mass protests, while more than 2,600 individuals have been arrested.
Despite a near-total internet blackout, now in its fourth consecutive day according to internet monitor NetBlocks, HRANA reported that demonstrations have taken place in 185 cities across Iran.
Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last monarch who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution and currently living in exile in the United States, has called for nationwide strikes and urged citizens to gather in central city squares at 6:00 p.m. today for renewed protests.
