Tehran: Iran has issued a stark warning of potential retaliation against Israel and US military bases if either nation initiates an attack. This announcement comes amid heightened tensions and reports that Israel is on high alert, anticipating possible US military intervention in Iran.
According to Thai News Agency, the Speaker of Iran's National Assembly, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaif, who is also a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, addressed the assembly today. He cautioned the United States to reconsider any aggressive actions, asserting that if Iran were attacked, it would target territories occupied by Israel, as well as all US military bases and warships, deeming them legitimate targets.
The threat from Iran followed revelations from sources involved in Israel's security deliberations over the weekend. It was disclosed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday, discussing the potential for US military intervention in Iran. While Israel remains on high alert, further details from the discussions have not been made public.
In parallel developments, the British newspaper The Independent reported that US President Donald Trump had been briefed on potential military options against Iran. This was in response to the Iranian government's forceful measures to suppress ongoing protests. Despite these discussions, Trump took to social media to express the US's readiness to support Iranian protesters, reiterating that US forces were prepared to act if protestors were harmed.
Meanwhile, Netblocks, an organization that tracks cybersecurity and internet governance, highlighted the severity of Iran's nationwide internet shutdown during the protests. The blackout, lasting over 60 hours, poses severe risks to public safety and well-being, particularly during such a critical period for the nation.
The protests, which began on December 28, 2025, originated from public frustration over an economic crisis marked by high inflation and a depreciating currency. These demonstrations quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding the end of the current government. This wave of protests is the largest in Iran since the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, on September 16, 2022, shortly after being detained for not wearing a hijab in public.