Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Jan 3: Iran has warned that US forces in the Middle East would be considered legitimate targets if Washington intervenes in Tehran’s handling of the ongoing mass protests, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf said on Friday.
His remarks came after US President Donald Trump stated that America was “locked and loaded” and could intervene at any moment. Responding to Trump’s comments, Ghalibaf said any American “adventurism” would draw a strong response.
“The disrespectful president of America should know that all American centres and forces across the entire region will be legitimate targets for us in response to any potential adventurism,” Ghalibaf said in a statement posted on X.
Large-scale protests erupted across Iran in late December after merchants in Tehran went on strike following the national currency, the rial, hitting a record low. The unrest soon spread to several cities, escalating into political and violent demonstrations.
The current protests are the most serious since the 2022 unrest triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being accused of violating hijab rules. That wave of protests lasted for weeks and left over 200 people dead, with thousands arrested.
Videos circulating on social media suggest protesters have attacked government buildings and facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Casualties have been reported among both protesters and security personnel.
Trump earlier warned that the US could step in if Iran “shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters”. Ghalibaf, however, claimed that foreign intelligence agencies were attempting to turn legitimate protests into violent confrontations, adding that such efforts had been foiled.
He maintained that Iranian authorities are capable of distinguishing between genuine protesters and “foreign mercenaries” and insisted that the state would not mistreat its own people.
Iran’s longtime rival Israel has openly backed the unrest, while its intelligence agency Mossad has claimed to have agents operating inside Iran. Tehran warned on Friday that any external interference in its internal security would be met with a “regret-inducing response”.