Iran's political leadership has issued a stark warning that American military forces and Israel would become "legitimate targets" for attack if the United States carries out a strike against the Islamic Republic. The threat comes as nationwide protests challenging Iran's theocratic government have entered their third week, with the death toll rising to at least 116 people according to activists.
Parliamentary Threats and US Warnings
In a live televised session of the Iranian parliament on Sunday, 11 January 2026, speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf delivered a fiery speech directly threatening retaliation. "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 declared, using the regime's term for Israel. He emphasised that Iran would not wait to be hit, stating, "We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat."
The session saw lawmakers rush the dais chanting "Death to America!", underscoring the heightened tensions. This rhetoric follows warnings from former US President Donald Trump, who stated on social media that "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" Citing anonymous officials, major US newspapers reported that Trump had been presented with military options for a strike, though no final decision had been made. The US State Department separately cautioned: "Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it."
Nationwide Protests and Information Blackout
The protests, which began on 28 December over the collapsing value of the Iranian rial, have evolved into a direct challenge to the country's ruling system. Demonstrators have flooded streets in the capital Tehran and the holy city of Mashhad, with footage showing confrontations with security forces, flaming debris, and crowds using car horns and fireworks.
Authorities have severely restricted information flow, cutting off the internet and international phone lines since Thursday. This blackout has made verifying events from abroad difficult, raising fears it could enable a more severe crackdown. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates at least 116 people have been killed and over 2,600 detained.
In a significant development, Iran's attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warned that anyone participating in protests could face the capital charge of being an "enemy of God". This comes as the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for continued demonstrations, urging protesters to carry pre-revolutionary symbols.
Regional Military Posture and Internal Crackdown
The threat to US forces centres on key bases in the region, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain. The US military has stated it maintains forces in the Middle East with "full range of combat capability" to defend its interests.
Internally, the regime is signalling a harsh response. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power, has indicated a coming clampdown. State television has broadcast pro-government rallies and shown calm streets in some cities, though notably not in Tehran or Mashhad. The protests in Mashhad, home to Shiite Islam's holiest shrine, carry profound symbolic weight for the theocracy.
As the situation remains volatile, the world watches to see if the protests will sustain momentum despite the crackdown, and whether international rhetoric will escalate into direct military confrontation.
