Iran Warns of Retaliation if US Launches Military Strikes

Iran has warned that it would retaliate against both Israel and United States military assets if Washington carries out any military action against Tehran, as regional tensions rise amid continuing anti-government protests inside the country.

The warning was issued on Sunday by Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, amid reports from Israeli officials that Israel has placed its security forces on heightened alert in response to the possibility of US involvement.

Speaking before Iran’s parliament, Qalibaf cautioned against what he described as a “miscalculation” by foreign powers. He said that in the event of an attack on Iran, Israel and US military bases and naval assets in the region would be considered “legitimate targets”.

Qalibaf, a former senior commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), made the remarks as the Iranian leadership faces its most serious wave of unrest in years.

Protests intensify across Iran

Protests have spread across Iran since late December, initially driven by public anger over soaring inflation and economic hardship before evolving into broader demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership, which has ruled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

A US-based human rights organisation, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), said at least 116 people have been killed so far, most of them protesters, though the toll also includes members of the security forces. Iranian authorities have not confirmed an official death count.

State media have shown funeral processions in several western cities, including Gachsaran, Yasuj and Isfahan, for members of the security forces killed during the unrest. Officials said dozens of security personnel have died, blaming what they describe as “rioters” and “terrorist elements” for the violence.

Iranian police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said security forces have intensified operations to restore order, while the IRGC has accused armed groups of attacking security installations.

Internet blackout and information limits

The Iranian authorities have imposed severe restrictions on internet access since Thursday, limiting the flow of information from inside the country. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity had dropped to around one per cent of normal levels.

Despite the blackout, videos shared on social media—later verified by international media—showed large nighttime gatherings in parts of Tehran, with protesters banging on metal railings and chanting slogans.

US and Israeli reactions

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran’s leadership against using force to suppress demonstrations. In a social media post on Saturday, he said the United States stood “ready to help”, adding that Iran was facing a moment of potential change.

Israeli officials, speaking anonymously, said Israel had moved to a high-alert posture over the weekend, though they declined to provide details. The Israeli government and military have not publicly commented.

The heightened tensions come less than a year after a brief but intense conflict between Iran and Israel, during which the United States joined Israeli airstrikes. Iran later retaliated by launching missiles at a US air base in Qatar.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call on Saturday to discuss the evolving situation, according to an Israeli source. A US official confirmed the conversation but did not disclose details.

A fragile regional balance

A senior US intelligence official described the situation inside Iran as an “endurance game”, suggesting that protesters are attempting to maintain pressure on the government while Iranian authorities seek to restore control without provoking direct foreign intervention.

Israel has long viewed Iran as its principal regional adversary, particularly over Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. While Israel has not openly signalled a desire to interfere in Iran’s internal unrest, officials have warned that any Iranian attack would trigger severe consequences.

Analysts say the coming days will be critical, as Iran’s leadership tries to contain domestic unrest while avoiding actions that could escalate into a wider regional conflict involving the United States and its allies.