Iran will launch preemptive strikes against targets of the US and Israel if it detects an impending attack, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared.
Anyone who threatens Iran should be vigilant. Any attack on Iran will turn all occupied areas, all military centers and bases, and US ships in the area into legitimate targets," Ghalibaf said.
We will not limit our response to only responding after being attacked, but will act based on objective signs of the threat, so that no one miscalculates leading to disaster," National Assembly Chairman Ghalibaf emphasized.
This warning was issued after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for protests in Iranian cities, which were caused by rising inflation and economic recession.
Mr. Trump once said that Washington would "support" protesters if the administration continued to suppress widespread riots. "It's better not to shoot, otherwise we will shoot back," the US President said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu also expressed support for the protesters.
On January 10, Mr. Trump is said to have received notification of military options, including the possibility of attacking non-military targets in Tehran, although there is no final decision yet.
The US and Israel also attacked Iran in June 2025, targeting military and nuclear facilities.
The most serious instability in recent years has erupted across Iran since December 28 after the domestic currency collapsed, causing food and commodity prices to rise sharply. Protesters clashed with police, attacked government buildings and called on some to restore the monarchy. The government has applied internet and telephone shutdowns nationwide.
According to records from British media citing a doctor in the capital, more than 200 people have died. Meanwhile, Iranian newspapers reported that the riots killed at least 25 civilians and 6 security personnel, injuring 120 others.
