Tehran warns US, Israel amid deadly unrest
Iran issued fresh threats against the United States and Israel on Sunday as nationwide protests continued for a second week, leaving at least 116 people dead, according to activists.
Security forces have detained more than 2,600 people, while a near-total internet shutdown has made it difficult to assess the full scale of the unrest.
With information channels cut, exiled activists and human rights groups say they fear a harsher crackdown as the demonstrations grow.
Protesters marched again in Tehran, Mashhad and other major cities, venting anger over the collapsing economy and Iran’s clerical rule. Footage shared through satellite links showed small but persistent flash protests in neighbourhoods across the capital.
Amid this, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf delivered one of the strongest warnings yet, saying US forces and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington carried out military action. Lawmakers shouted anti-American slogans as he praised Iran’s police, Revolutionary Guard and Basij force for their response to the protests.
Qalibaf claimed Iran would strike American bases, ships and “the occupied territory” if it detected any threat. Analysts say it is unclear how far Iran is prepared to go, given the losses it suffered during the 12-day war with Israel last June. Any final decision rests with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has already signalled a tougher response.
The United States has warned Tehran not to use force against demonstrators. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action, saying the US is ready to “help” protesters. Reports in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal said Trump has been briefed on possible strike options.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, say the country is on high alert as tensions escalate. Three security sources confirmed that Israel is closely watching the possibility of any US action in Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a call on Saturday, according to officials familiar with the conversation.
Israel has not indicated it plans to intervene as Iran faces its biggest protests in years, but officials remain concerned about Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs. Netanyahu warned in an interview with The Economist that Iran would face severe consequences if it attacked Israel, adding that the world should pay close attention to unrest inside the country.
Protests continued over the weekend in Tehran, Mashhad, Kerman and other cities. In some areas, demonstrators lit streets with mobile phone flashlights, while others blocked roads with burning debris. Meanwhile, authorities intensified surveillance, deploying drones and extra security units to protest hotspots.
State media attempted to project calm by airing footage from selected cities and showing pro-government rallies, though they avoided broadcasting from Tehran and Mashhad. Iran’s attorney general issued a stark warning, saying anyone involved in protests – or even helping protesters – could face charges of being an “enemy of God,” which carries the death penalty.
The demonstrations began on December 28 after the rial’s collapse pushed many families to the brink. What started as economic frustration has rapidly grown into one of the most direct challenges to Iran’s theocratic leadership in years.
Source: UNB/AP