Iran’s political leadership has issued one of its strongest warnings yet as unrest continues to grip the country. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf publicly declared that if Iran is attacked, both Israel and U.S. military assets across the region would be considered “legitimate targets.”
The warning comes amid a rapidly escalating internal crisis. Protests have now stretched into their third consecutive week, fueled by economic collapse and public anger toward the ruling theocracy. According to Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based monitoring group, at least 538 people have been killed so far, a figure many believe is understated due to a recent nationwide internet shutdown that lasted 24 hours.
Speaking during a televised parliamentary session on Sunday, Ghalibaf delivered his remarks as lawmakers crowded the chamber chanting anti-American slogans. His language marked a noticeable shift toward a more aggressive posture. He stated that Iran would not wait to be attacked first and would act on what it considers “objective signs” of an impending threat. In blunt terms, he warned that U.S. bases, ships, and Israeli territory would all be targeted in the event of military action against Iran.
While Ghalibaf’s comments are significant, any decision to launch a pre-emptive strike would ultimately rest with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who remains the final authority on matters of war and national security.
The unrest itself was triggered by the collapse of Iran’s currency. The rial has plunged to historic lows, reportedly trading at around 1.47 million to the U.S. dollar. This economic freefall has intensified public demands for an end to clerical rule, transforming economic protests into a broader political movement.
Despite an extensive security crackdown involving surveillance drones, riot police, and the Basij militia, demonstrations have continued in Tehran, Mashhad, and dozens of other cities. Protesters have increasingly relied on quick, mobile tactics to avoid arrest, with some videos showing fireworks being used to break up security lines. Rights organizations say most of the confirmed deaths are civilians, although dozens of security personnel have also been killed. More than 10,600 people have reportedly been detained nationwide.
With phone lines cut and internet access restricted, activists fear the communications blackout is being used to conceal a harsher crackdown away from international scrutiny.
Globally, the situation is raising serious alarm. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly voiced support for the protesters, posting on social media that the United States “stands ready to help” and suggesting Iran may be closer to freedom than ever before. At the same time, reports indicate the White House has reviewed military options following direct confrontations earlier this year. The U.S. military has confirmed that its forces in the region are fully positioned and capable across the full spectrum of combat operations.
Iran’s threats are not hypothetical. In the past, Tehran has demonstrated its ability to strike regional targets, including U.S. facilities such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. With the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquartered in Bahrain, much of the Persian Gulf lies within reach of Iran’s missile systems.
Israel is also closely watching developments. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has been in contact with U.S. officials and expressed admiration for the Iranian protesters, stating that he hopes they will soon be free from authoritarian rule.
Even Iran’s reform-minded president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has adopted a tougher tone. In remarks to state television, he warned against what he described as “rioters,” saying that while public concerns should be heard, maintaining order remains the government’s top priority.
As Tehran and Washington harden their positions, Iran now finds itself at a perilous crossroads. The combination of internal rebellion and external military brinkmanship has pushed the region to one of its most volatile moments in decades, with consequences that could extend far beyond Iran’s borders.
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