Tehran/Washington – Amid one of the most severe waves of anti-government unrest in decades, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has issued a stark warning that U.S. military forces, bases, ships, and even Israel would be considered "legitimate targets" in the event of American intervention. The threat comes in direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated assertions that his administration is evaluating "very strong options," including potential military strikes, to address the regime's deadly crackdown on nationwide protests.
Speaking during a parliamentary session on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Ghalibaf praised security forces for their firm stance against demonstrators and framed the ongoing turmoil as part of a broader conflict with the United States and Israel. He declared that Iran would not limit itself to reactive measures, stating: "In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory [referring to Israel] and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets." Lawmakers responded with chants of "Death to America," underscoring the heightened rhetoric as protests enter their third week.
The demonstrations erupted on December 28, 2025, initially sparked by acute economic grievances including hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and widespread hardship. What began as localized complaints in Tehran quickly escalated into a nationwide movement demanding an end to clerical rule, with chants against the Islamic Republic echoing across cities and provinces. Authorities have imposed a near-total internet blackout lasting over three days to disrupt coordination and limit the flow of information, while security forces have deployed lethal force, including live ammunition, leading to significant casualties.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which compiles verified reports from activists inside and outside Iran, at least 544 people have been killed as of January 11, 2026. This includes 496 protesters (with eight children among them), 48 security personnel, and additional non-protesting civilians. Over 10,600 arrests have been documented, though HRANA notes challenges in confirming exact figures due to restricted communications. Other reports align with this tally, with some sources citing slightly varying numbers amid the blackout and difficulties in independent verification. Visual evidence, including footage of body bags outside morgues near Tehran, has emerged despite efforts to suppress information.
In response to Trump's threats, which include a "red line" on the killing of protesters, the U.S. president commented aboard Air Force One on January 11 that Iran appears to be crossing that threshold. "They’re starting to, it looks like," Trump said when asked about the red line. "We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination." He added that Iran has signaled interest in negotiations but emphasized the need for immediate action against the violence. A high-level briefing for Trump, involving senior aides, is set for Tuesday, January 13, to discuss options ranging from targeted strikes and cyber operations to sanctions and support for anti-regime communications.
Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran's last shah (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi), has emerged as a prominent figure in the opposition landscape. In recent statements, including interviews and public appeals, Pahlavi has declared his readiness to return to Iran to guide a democratic transition. He has urged members of the security forces, government workers, and ordinary citizens to side with the protesters and avoid complicity in the crackdown. Pahlavi emphasized a peaceful process through national referendum and constitutional assembly, stating he is "more than ever ready to step in Iran" to lead the effort toward democracy.
He has also called on supporters abroad to hoist the pre-1979 national flag—the tricolor featuring the lion and sun emblem—as a symbol of resistance. This call has resonated in global demonstrations, with protesters in cities like London, Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul displaying the historic banner. Notably, on January 10, 2026, during a rally outside Iran's embassy in London, a demonstrator scaled the building's balcony, briefly removed the Islamic Republic flag, and replaced it with the pre-revolution lion and sun tricolor. The act, captured on social media and witnessed by hundreds cheering below, lasted several minutes before the original flag was restored, highlighting growing symbolic defiance abroad.
The protests, which have spread to hundreds of locations across all provinces, represent a profound challenge to the regime, with some analysts describing it as the gravest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian officials, including the military and President Masoud Pezeshkian, have blamed foreign powers—particularly the U.S. and Israel—for orchestrating the unrest, while declaring periods of mourning for fallen security personnel. Despite the blackout and jamming of satellite services like Starlink, reports indicate continued demonstrations, though at a reduced visible intensity in some areas due to repression.
The convergence of domestic upheaval, international threats, and opposition mobilization raises the specter of further escalation. U.S. lawmakers have voiced caution, warning that military action could backfire by rallying Iranians around the regime. As the situation unfolds, the coming days—including Trump's upcoming briefing—could prove decisive in determining whether external involvement deepens the crisis or influences its trajectory.
