Iran warns of retaliation against U.S. if Trump orders strikes

Time reported that Iran’s government threatened to retaliate against the United States if President Donald Trump goes through with reported plans to intervene after a dramatic escalation of violence against protesters this weekend. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned on Sunday that both Israel and "all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets" in the event of an attack and said, "We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat." The New York Times reported that Trump was considering a strike on Iran in response to the killing of protesters and had been presented with numerous options; he has not made a final decision but was reportedly seriously considering doing so after previously threatening that Iran would "pay hell" if the country’s leaders killed demonstrators.

On Saturday Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" The protests began two weeks ago in Tehran’s bazaars over rampant inflation and have since expanded into broader demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his regime.

Key Topics

World, Iran, Donald Trump, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Israel