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Iran Threatens to Launch Preemptive Strikes on U.S., Israeli Targets
(MENAFN) Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has threatened preemptive military action against American and Israeli assets if Tehran identifies signs of an impending assault.
The stark warning follows public backing from U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for demonstrations erupting across Iranian cities amid skyrocketing inflation and severe economic deterioration.
"Let those who threaten Iran be warned. Any attack on Iran will make both the occupied territories, all military centers and bases, and American ships in the region legitimate targets," Ghalibaf said on Saturday.
"We do not limit ourselves to responding only after an attack and will act based on objective signs of a threat, so that no one makes miscalculations that will lead them to disaster," he added.
Trump announced the U.S. would "help" demonstrators if Iranian authorities persist in suppressing nationwide unrest. "You better not start shooting, because we'll start shooting too," he said. Netanyahu has similarly voiced solidarity with protesters.
The New York Times reports Trump received briefings on potential military operations, including strikes targeting non-military infrastructure in Tehran, though no final authorization has been issued. Washington and Tel Aviv jointly attacked Iran in June 2025, hitting military installations and nuclear facilities.
The upheaval—Iran's most severe in recent years—ignited nationwide on December 28 following the national currency's collapse, triggering dramatic spikes in food and essential goods prices. Demonstrations intensified into violent confrontations with law enforcement, assaults on government facilities, and demands from certain protesters for monarchical restoration. Authorities responded by implementing countrywide internet and telecommunications blackouts.
Media reports over 200 fatalities, citing a physician in the capital. An Iranian news agency stated rioters killed at least 25 civilians and six security personnel, with 120 additional injuries.
The stark warning follows public backing from U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for demonstrations erupting across Iranian cities amid skyrocketing inflation and severe economic deterioration.
"Let those who threaten Iran be warned. Any attack on Iran will make both the occupied territories, all military centers and bases, and American ships in the region legitimate targets," Ghalibaf said on Saturday.
"We do not limit ourselves to responding only after an attack and will act based on objective signs of a threat, so that no one makes miscalculations that will lead them to disaster," he added.
Trump announced the U.S. would "help" demonstrators if Iranian authorities persist in suppressing nationwide unrest. "You better not start shooting, because we'll start shooting too," he said. Netanyahu has similarly voiced solidarity with protesters.
The New York Times reports Trump received briefings on potential military operations, including strikes targeting non-military infrastructure in Tehran, though no final authorization has been issued. Washington and Tel Aviv jointly attacked Iran in June 2025, hitting military installations and nuclear facilities.
The upheaval—Iran's most severe in recent years—ignited nationwide on December 28 following the national currency's collapse, triggering dramatic spikes in food and essential goods prices. Demonstrations intensified into violent confrontations with law enforcement, assaults on government facilities, and demands from certain protesters for monarchical restoration. Authorities responded by implementing countrywide internet and telecommunications blackouts.
Media reports over 200 fatalities, citing a physician in the capital. An Iranian news agency stated rioters killed at least 25 civilians and six security personnel, with 120 additional injuries.
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