Subhechcha Ganguly 
Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States and Israel amid escalating international tensions tied to nationwide protests inside the Islamic Republic. On Sunday, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf declared that U.S. military forces, bases and shipping facilities — along with Israeli military centers — would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington launches a military strike against Iran, a stance he framed as part of the country’s right to self-defense.
Qalibaf’s remarks came during a turbulent session of Iran’s parliament, where lawmakers reportedly shouted anti-American slogans and rallied behind hard-line rhetoric. The warning marks a significant escalation in rhetoric following repeated statements from U.S. President Donald Trump signaling that the United States “stands ready to help” peaceful protesters and may consider military options if Iranian authorities use lethal force against demonstrators.
The protests, sparked by economic hardship and a steep fall in the Iranian currency, have entered their third week, with activists and human rights groups reporting rising fatalities and thousands of detentions. Iran has also instituted widespread internet and communications blackouts, making independent verification of the situation difficult.
Tehran’s warning underscores deepening distrust between Iran and Washington, as well as regional anxieties about potential spill-over effects. The U.S. State Department has responded with its own stern message, urging Tehran not to misjudge President Trump’s intentions, while insisting that American forces and allies will be defended.
Analysts say the confrontation reflects broader geopolitical fault lines — with Iran determined to deter external intervention in its internal unrest and the U.S. signaling support for democratic movements, even as the possibility of direct conflict looms. Senior leaders in Tehran have also stressed that any decision to escalate militarily would ultimately lie with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
This development has placed Israel on high alert as well, given its close security partnership with the United States and longstanding tensions with Iran. Global diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, as world powers weigh the risks of a wider confrontation in the Middle East.
