Iran has warned that it will hit Israel and US military bases if the United States launches strikes on its territory, as mass protests continue across the country.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told lawmakers that any US attack would be a serious mistake and said Iran would treat Israel, US bases and US ships as legitimate targets. Qalibaf is a former commander in the Revolutionary Guards, the elite force that plays a central role in Iran’s security.
The warning comes as Iran faces its largest anti-government protests since 2022, driven first by soaring inflation and then by anger at the country’s clerical rule. Rights group HRANA says at least 116 people have been killed so far, including 37 members of the security forces. Authorities accuse the United States and Israel of fueling the unrest and have tightened their crackdown.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly cautioned Iran’s leaders against using force on demonstrators and has said the United States is ready to help the Iranian people. A senior US intelligence official described the situation as an “endurance game”, with protesters trying to maintain pressure while the state tries to restore control without triggering foreign intervention.
Israel is on high alert over the possibility of US intervention in Iran, according to Israeli sources familiar with recent security discussions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday about the crisis, though US officials did not confirm the details of the call.
Iran and Israel fought a 12-day war last June, when the United States joined Israeli airstrikes and Iran responded by firing missiles at an American base in Qatar. Tensions also remain high over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, which Israel views as a major threat.
Security forces in Iran have increased operations against what they call rioters and terrorists, as protests spread across major cities. Footage verified in Tehran’s Punak district showed large night-time crowds banging on railings and metal objects in a show of defiance, even as authorities restrict internet access nationwide.
Iran’s leadership has survived several previous waves of unrest, including the 2022 protests after the death in custody of a woman accused of breaking dress rules. Israeli leaders say Iran would face severe consequences if it attacks Israel, while also watching closely how the internal crisis in Iran unfolds.
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