Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared all American bases and forces in the region legitimate targets if the United States intervenes in the country’s ongoing protests. The statement came directly in response to President Donald Trump’s warning that America would act to protect demonstrators if Iranian security forces kill peaceful protesters. Protests, sparked by a collapsing currency and soaring inflation, have spread nationwide and turned deadly in recent days.

Ghalibaf posted on X that any U.S. “adventurism” would make American military assets fair game for retaliation. He emphasized Iran’s distinction between legitimate protesters and foreign-influenced agitators while rejecting outside interference. This escalation follows Trump’s Truth Social post stating the U.S. is “locked and loaded” to rescue protesters facing violence.

The protests began late December 2025 when merchants closed shops over the rial’s plunge to record lows against the dollar. Demonstrations quickly expanded to include students and broader crowds chanting anti-regime slogans in Tehran and provincial cities. Clashes have resulted in multiple deaths, with rights groups reporting higher casualties than official figures.

Security forces have deployed heavily, using tear gas and live ammunition in some areas. Reports confirm fatalities in western provinces like Lorestan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. Iranian officials acknowledge some deaths but blame armed rioters. Opposition sources claim at least eight protesters killed since December 31.

Trump’s threat marks a sharp U.S. posture shift amid the unrest, the largest since 2022-2023 demonstrations. Iran’s leadership views it as provocation, especially months after the June 2025 U.S.-Israeli strikes on nuclear sites during the 12-day war. Regional U.S. troop presence, around 40,000 personnel across bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, and elsewhere, heightens risks of direct confrontation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other officials echoed warnings of decisive responses to any aggression. Supreme National Security Council figures accused the U.S. and Israel of fueling the protests without evidence. Protests continued into January 2, with reports of marches in Zahedan and Tehran districts.

America maintains significant military assets nearby, capable of rapid strikes as demonstrated last year. Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and proxy networks pose counter-threats, though depleted from prior conflicts. Both sides signal readiness, raising concerns over miscalculation in an already tense Middle East.

Some conservatives view Trump’s stance as firm deterrence against a regime long hostile to U.S. interests, but others are concerned about American military involvement in the region. Supporting Iranians seeking freedom aligns with rejecting Tehran’s sponsorship of terrorism and nuclear ambitions, but how far does that support need to go?

As protests persist, outcomes remain uncertain. Iranian authorities promise dialogue on economic issues but prioritize security. Unfortunately, Iran’s history tells a different story. Since 1979, any attempted uprisings by the people have been met with brutal force.