By Spy Uganda
Iran’s parliament speaker has issued a stark warning to the United States, threatening retaliation if President Donald Trump follows through on his warnings to intervene as Tehran intensifies its crackdown on nationwide protests.
Speaking during a parliamentary session broadcast live on Iranian state television, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf praised the security forces’ actions against demonstrators and warned that both U.S. military assets and Israel could become direct targets.
Qalibaf described Israel as “the occupied territory” and said Iran would not rule out launching preemptive strikes should it perceive an imminent threat.
“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases, and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf said.
He added that Tehran would not wait to be struck first. “We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat,” he said.
The remarks were delivered amid loud chants of “Death to America” from hard-line lawmakers, some of whom rushed toward the parliamentary dais in a show of defiance.
Iran has been gripped by widespread protests in recent weeks, with demonstrators openly challenging the country’s theocratic leadership. Human rights activists estimate that at least 116 people have been killed and more than 2,600 arrested during the unrest, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Exact figures remain difficult to verify, as Iranian authorities have severely restricted internet access and cut phone lines.
President Trump has warned that the United States is prepared to intervene if Iranian authorities continue to use lethal force against protesters.
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” Trump said earlier this month. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
In a separate post on his Truth Social platform, Trump added, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
Reports indicate that President Trump has been briefed on potential military options against Iran, though no final decision has been made.
