Iran Issues a Retaliation Warning If the United States Attacks
Iran warns of potential retaliation against the US should an attack be initiated, as protests persist into their third week and violent crackdowns unfold across the country.
Iran has issued a warning of retaliation should the United States initiate an attack, as nationwide protests have now entered their third week and tensions with Washington continue to rise.
US President Donald Trump has consistently warned of potential intervention to safeguard demonstrators during a severe crackdown by Iranian security forces.
In addressing the crisis, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, stated that Israel, along with US military forces and shipping centers in the region, would be considered legitimate targets should Washington initiate an attack. He escalated his rhetoric by directly threatening Israel — referring to it as “the occupied territory” — and the US military, suggesting the potential for a pre-emptive strike.
Iranian authorities have accused Washington and Israel of inciting the unrest, with security officials stating that they have increased efforts to address the “rioters.”
In spite of the crackdown, demonstrators once more filled the streets of the capital and other cities from Saturday night into Sunday, challenging government warnings.
According to human rights organizations, a minimum of 116 individuals have lost their lives and over 2,600 have been apprehended since the onset of the protests. Nonetheless, due to a persistent internet blackout restricting information flow from within the country, the complete extent of the unrest is still uncertain.
The protests commenced in late December in response to rising prices, eventually transforming into wider demonstrations against Iran’s clerical leadership, which has been in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The seriousness of Tehran’s intentions regarding a potential strike remains uncertain, especially following the damage to its air defenses during a 12-day conflict with Israel in June.
The ultimate decision to engage in war would lie with Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
