Topics: World News, Iran, Donald Trump
With protests breaking out across Iran once again on Saturday night, as thousands took to the streets and called for an end to their country's authoritarian regime, a chilling threat has been made to the United States and Israel.
Thousands of people are believed to have been arrested in the anti-government demonstrations, which have been ongoing for the past two weeks, with activists reporting at least 116 dead amid a brutal crackdown from state police that has seen the internet switched off across the country.
Following last year's 12-day exchange of missiles between Israel and Iran, leaders in the Islamic Republic have issued a chilling warning to the US and its key ally in the region in the hopes of preventing an intervention on the side of the protesters.
The speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned that serving US military personnel would be 'legitimate targets' for reprisals if America gets involved in the disorder spreading across Iran - as threatened by President Trump.
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The threat against the US and its allies came on Saturday, as the unrest continued for its 14th day and after Trump took to social media to stir the pot, saying: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before."
He added that 'the USA stands ready to help', but with phone and internet lines down across Iran, it's not clear how much information from the outside world is getting in.
But in a televised parliamentary session, the speaker threatened a further crackdown against the populace, saying: “The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe way and punish those who are arrested.”
He then looked further afield, adding: "In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets."
Qalibaf also warned that the state of Israel would be hit if the West intervenes on the side of protestors, after which politicians rushed the dais in the Iranian parliament and chanted 'Death to America!!'
Thousands of people have been flooding the streets each night since December 28, employing numbers and household objects to fight back against security forces, with the few images coming out of Iran showing flaming wheelie bins and fires set in the street.
Adding to the repeat warnings, Qalibaf warned on Friday ahead of a weekend of protests: "The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe way and punish those who are arrested.”
But both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal have cited sources inside the White House that claim Trump is examining military options so the US can tip the scales to the protesters' advantage.
This has been reinforced by bullish rhetoric from different parts of the executive, with the State Department separately warning: "Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
According to PA, the final decision in Iran for a strike against US targets rests with the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Trump weighs up yet another foreign intervention after Venezuela, just a fortnight into 2026.
