Iran Threatens U.S. Forces as Protests Sweep Nation Amid Rising Tensions
TEHRAN, Iran — As protests continue to ripple across Iran, the country’s hardline Parliament speaker issued a stark warning to the United States, designating American military bases in the Middle East as “legitimate targets” should Washington intervene in the escalating unrest. The threat came shortly after former President Donald Trump vowed decisive action if Iranian authorities violently suppress demonstrators.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, wrote on the social media platform X that the “disrespectful President of America” should recognize that any U.S. military presence in the region would be considered a valid target in response to what he described as “potential adventurism.” He emphasized the unity and resolve of the Iranian people in confronting what he called an “aggressor enemy.”
The warning follows Trump’s statement earlier on January 2, 2026, in which he declared the United States “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iran uses force against peaceful protesters. Trump’s message came amid reports of violent crackdowns on demonstrators, who have taken to the streets in at least 44 cities across 19 provinces, according to the Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The group claims that at least eight people have been killed, including a 15-year-old, although independent verification remains difficult.
Protests have intensified over the past several days, with demonstrators engaging in clashes with security forces, blocking roads, and setting fire to police vehicles in cities such as Marvdasht, Semirom, Darreh-Shahr, Ramhormoz, and Azna. In a symbolic act of defiance, protesters in Khuzestan province reportedly burned a statue of the late Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
The unrest has drawn international attention as Iran’s government faces mounting pressure from within. The United States maintains a significant military presence in the region, with approximately 40,000 active-duty troops and Department of Defense civilians deployed across countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria, according to Department of Defense figures.
Qalibaf’s threat underscores the heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, which have been strained for years over Iran’s nuclear program, regional influence, and human rights record. The prospect of U.S. intervention in Iran’s internal affairs has been a red line for the regime, which views external interference as a direct threat to its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government has condemned the Iranian regime’s violent response to the protests. The U.S. Department of State has repeatedly called for restraint and respect for the rights of peaceful demonstrators, while warning Iran against further escalation.
The protests erupted amid a backdrop of economic hardship, political repression, and demands for greater freedoms. The NCRI reports that funerals for those killed in the uprising have transformed into further demonstrations, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with the government.
As the situation remains volatile, international observers continue to monitor developments closely. The United Nations and other global organizations have urged dialogue and peaceful resolution to prevent further bloodshed.
With tensions escalating and threats exchanged, the risk of a broader conflict in the region looms large. The coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can prevail or if the crisis will deepen, potentially drawing in foreign powers. For now, Iran’s parliament speaker’s declaration marks a new chapter in the fraught relationship between Tehran and Washington, raising the stakes for all parties involved.
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