The crisis in Iran escalated this Sunday to an openly political and military level following statements from President Donald Trump, who claimed that the United States is “ready to help” the Iranian people amid the largest anti-government protests in years. The response from Tehran was swift and came with a tone of direct warning.
The president of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, delivered a strong message to Washington and its allies, indicating that any attack against Iran would turn U.S. bases and ships in the region, as well as Israel, into "legitimate targets," according to a report by the agency Reuters.
The statement came as the country is experiencing a wave of disturbances that, according to human rights organizations, has resulted in more than 500 deaths in just two weeks.
Qalibaf's words reflect the nervousness of the Iranian leadership regarding the possibility of foreign intervention. Trump has reiterated on social media that “Iran is seeking freedom, perhaps like never before,” and has hinted that his administration is evaluating options ranging from tightening sanctions to military actions, if the repression against the protesters continues.
The protests, which began in late December due to rising prices, quickly turned into a direct challenge to the clerical regime that has been in power since 1979.
In response, Iranian authorities have intensified repression, accusing "terrorists" and external enemies of inciting chaos and restricting the flow of information through internet blackouts.
From Tehran, the official message emphasizes that the United States and Israel are seeking to destabilize the country. From Washington, Trump and high-ranking officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio have expressed support for the "brave people of Iran", although without specifying what type of concrete assistance the U.S. would be willing to offer.
Israel has raised its alert level in response to a potential U.S. involvement, while analysts warn that, although the protests may not immediately overthrow the regime, they are indeed leaving it weaker and more exposed than in previous crises.
Amid funerals, burning streets, and thousands of detainees, the tension between Trump and Iranian leadership adds a new layer of uncertainty to a situation already marked by human suffering and the fear of regional escalation.
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