Confronting protests, Iran vows to strike back if U.S. attacks
Iran faces major anti-government protests that began in late December 2025 over soaring inflation and have since escalated against the clerical regime, marking the largest unrest since 2022. Tehran issued stark warnings on January 11, 2026, stating it would retaliate against Israel and U.S. military bases if America launches strikes.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guards commander, declared in parliament that any U.S. attack would make Israel (“occupied territories”) and all U.S. bases and ships “legitimate targets”. This comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to intervene and his statement that America stands “ready to help” protesters.
Authorities report cracking down on “rioters,” with a U.S.-based group citing 116 deaths—mostly protesters—and over 2,600 arrests. The Revolutionary Guards blame “terrorists,” while a U.S. intelligence official described the situation as an “endurance game” between opposition pressure and regime suppression.
Israeli sources confirm high alert for potential U.S. action, amid Iran’s history of quelling unrest like the 2022 protests. The government accuses the U.S. and Israel of fomenting the demonstrations.
