Last Updated on January 11, 2026 11:57 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
AMN / NEWS DESK
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Sunday issued a stern warning that US military forces and Israel would be considered legitimate targets if Washington carries out any military action against the Islamic Republic amid ongoing nationwide protests.
Qalibaf’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat to strike Iran if its authorities used force to suppress the growing wave of protests driven by public anger against the government. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the US administration of orchestrating the unrest, alleging foreign interference behind the demonstrations.
Anti-government protests across Iran entered their third week on Tuesday, with large crowds gathering in the capital Tehran and the country’s second-largest city, Mashhad. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 200 people have been killed in protest-related violence so far, while at least 3,280 others have been detained. Solidarity demonstrations have also been held in several European cities in support of Iranian protesters.
Amid the escalating crisis, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a conciliatory tone during a televised address on state television. He said his government was prepared to listen to public grievances and pledged to overhaul Iran’s struggling economy. President Pezeshkian maintained that his administration is committed to addressing economic challenges, while accusing the United States and Israel of fueling unrest and instability.
The current crisis was triggered in late December after Iran’s currency suffered a sharp fall following years of economic pressure. The resulting protests over soaring prices and inflation have since evolved into broader political demonstrations, posing one of the most serious challenges to the Iranian leadership in recent years.