Iran Warns U.S. and Israel It Will Strike Back if Attacked
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Amid the unrest, Iranian officials issued stark warnings against any foreign military intervention. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that if the United States or Israel attacks Iranian territory — something speculated amid U.S. threats of intervention to protect demonstrators — Tehran would retaliate against “all U.S. military bases, shipping, and Israeli assets” in the region.
Iran Warns U.S. and Israel
These comments came as Iranian authorities accused external powers of stoking protests and seeking to destabilise the Islamic Republic. Official rhetoric has repeatedly blamed the U.S. and Israel for encouraging unrest, portraying the demonstrations — at least in part — as orchestrated by “foreign-backed elements.”
The warnings raise alarms across the Middle East, with Israeli officials reportedly on high alert for potential escalation if military action unfolds.
U.S. Position and Threat of Intervention on Iran
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly said Washington is considering “very strong options” in response to Iran’s suppression of protesters, with military intervention among the possibilities being discussed by national security officials. Trump also indicated that talks with Iranian leaders may be on the horizon, but that the U.S. might need to act before formal negotiations take place due to ongoing violence.
Trump’s statements have heightened tensions, with Tehran denouncing them as interference in Iran’s internal affairs. Iranian leaders have insisted that any attack would be met with force, even as the regime claims it does not desire war.
Human Cost and Crackdown
The death toll from nationwide protests has climbed rapidly, with independent rights groups reporting more than 500 killed, including security personnel and civilians, and thousands detained as the state’s crackdown intensifies.
Protesters have rallied not only in Tehran but across major cities like Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz, chanting slogans against the regime even as internet and communications blackouts make coverage difficult. Some demonstrations have been marked by clashes, burning vehicles, and heavy security presence, while funerals and vigils underscore the human toll.
Analysts note that the depth of the crisis reflects long-standing grievances over economic hardship, political repression, and distrust of the ruling establishment, making the movement harder for authorities to contain.
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