Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf issued a stark warning to the United States and Israel on Sunday, saying Tehran would retaliate if attacked. “In the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target,” said Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guards commander.
The statement comes as Iran faces its largest protests since 2022, sparked by rising prices. Authorities have blamed the US and Israel for inciting unrest, while security forces, according to Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan, have intensified efforts to confront “rioters.” An internet blackout has restricted the flow of information since Thursday, but social media footage shows large crowds marching in Tehran and Mashhad, with fires, debris, and masked protesters amid explosions.
State TV reported dozens of security personnel killed in the unrest, calling the attackers “armed terrorists,” and broadcast funeral processions across several cities. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced foreign-backed destabilisation, urging families to prevent children from joining rioters, while affirming the government’s willingness to address economic grievances.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump expressed readiness to assist Iranians seeking freedom. Israeli officials, citing past conflicts with Iran, said the situation was being closely monitored, with the military on high alert for any potential escalation. Exiled opposition figures, including Reza Pahlavi, have praised the bravery of protesters and urged them to remain on the streets, framing the protests as a historic challenge to Iran’s ruling elite.
The unrest underscores growing tensions in the region, with the possibility of foreign intervention heightening stakes for both Iran and its neighbours.
