Iran Warns of Retaliation as U.S. Intervention Threat Looms Over Growing Protests

Iran has threatened to target U.S. military bases if President Donald Trump proceeds with renewed plans to intervene in support of protesters, escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington as the death toll from ongoing unrest continues to rise.

The Islamic Republic’s clerical leadership is grappling with its most significant wave of demonstrations since 2022. 

Amid reports of force being used against civilians, Trump has repeatedly signaled that the United States could step in, further intensifying fears of a direct confrontation between the two nations.

President Donald Trump is expected to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to weigh possible options on Iran, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing a U.S. official.

“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters travelling on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Trump said he was in contact with Iranian opposition leaders. He also said, without elaborating, that Iran’s leaders had called him on Saturday and want to negotiate, and that he might talk to them.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against “a miscalculation.”

“Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all U.S. bases and ships will be our legitimate target,” said Qalibaf, a former commander in Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.

Reuters