Tehran issues a stark warning after Trump says the US is “locked and loaded” to protect protesters amid escalating unrest in Iran
Hours after President Donald Trump issued a warning that the US would intervene to protect protesters in Iran, a senior Iranian official on Friday cautioned that the Islamic Republic could retaliate against American bases and troops in the region.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was responding to Trump’s post on Truth Social, in which the former president said his administration is “locked and loaded and ready to go” to protect “peaceful protesters” if Iran targets them with violence.
“Moreover, the disrespectful President of America should also know that with this official admission, all American centers and forces across the entire region will be legitimate targets for us in response to any potential adventurism,” Ghalibaf posted Friday on social platform X.
“Iranians have always been united and determined to act in the face of an aggressor enemy,” he added.
At least seven people have died in nearly a week of protests in Iran, initially triggered by the collapse of the rial but increasingly featuring anti-government slogans, The Associated Press reported.
In 2019, former President Trump imposed sanctions on Iranian officials in response to the regime’s violent crackdown on protesters, part of a “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at limiting Iran’s ability to fund its nuclear program.
The recent exchange of threats between Trump and Tehran represents a renewed escalation following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June.
Iran retaliated by launching an attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts American troops. No casualties were reported, though some damage occurred.
Trump has claimed the strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities but warned Monday that Tehran appears to be rebuilding.
“We can’t let them build up because if they build up, there can’t be peace in the Middle East,” he was quoted as saying. “Consequences will be very powerful, maybe more powerful than the last time.”
He also expressed openness to renewed talks with Iran during a meeting last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago. Netanyahu reportedly discussed the possibility of another round of strikes on Iran, Axios reported.
Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, accused Trump and Israel of exploiting the protests to justify new attacks.
In a statement on X, he said: “With statements from Israeli officials and (Trump), what was happening behind the scenes has become clear. We distinguish between the position of the protesting merchants and the actions of the sabotage elements, and Trump must realise that U.S. intervention in this internal matter will lead to destabilizing the entire region and destroying American interests.”
“The American people must know that Trump is the one who started this adventure, and they should pay attention to the safety of their soldiers,” Larijani added.
With inputs from agencies
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