Iran has issued a stark warning to both the United States and Israel, stating that they will become “legitimate targets” should Washington launch an attack against Tehran. The threat comes amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing protests within Iran.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, directly addressed the United States, asserting that any aggression against Iran would be met with a forceful response. He specifically named Israel and American military bases in the region as potential targets, declaring them “legitimate” in the event of a US-led strike.
Ghalibaf’s comments mark a significant escalation, as it is the first time an Iranian official has explicitly included Israel in a list of potential targets for retaliation. The pronouncement was made during a parliamentary session where lawmakers chanted, “Death to America.”
The parliamentary session, broadcast live on Iranian state television, also featured Ghalibaf praising the police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for their “steadfastness” in the face of widespread protests. These protests, triggered by rising living costs and economic hardship, have been ongoing since late December.
The economic turmoil fueling the protests is linked to the plunging value of the Iranian Rial and an official inflation rate of 43%. Demonstrations have spread across multiple provinces, with major gatherings reported in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Hamadan, Qom, and Ahvaz. Iranian state television has reported fatalities among police and security forces as a result of the unrest.
The heightened tensions follow repeated warnings from Washington regarding Iran’s actions. The US has previously threatened intervention and cautioned against the use of force against protesters. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation.
