Nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocratic government continued into Sunday, with large crowds filling the streets of Tehran and the country’s second-largest city as demonstrations entered their third week. Violence linked to the unrest has killed at least 116 people and led to the detention of roughly 2,600 others, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Assessing the full масштаb of the protests has become increasingly difficult as Iranian authorities have shut down the internet and cut international phone lines. Rights groups and observers abroad fear the information blackout could enable a harsher crackdown by Iran’s security forces away from outside scrutiny.
As protests intensified, Iran’s парламент issued sharp warnings toward the United States and Israel. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declared that U.S. military forces and Israel would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington carries out threatened strikes against Iran. His remarks came during a live-broadcast parliamentary session in which lawmakers rushed the dais chanting, “Death to America!”
Qalibaf praised Iran’s police and the Revolutionary Guard — particularly the Basij volunteer force — for “standing firm” against demonstrators. He warned that authorities would punish those arrested “in the most severe way.”
He also issued a direct threat toward Israel and U.S. forces in the region. “In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf said. He added that Iran would not wait to respond after an attack but would act if it perceived signs of an impending threat.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has publicly expressed support for the protesters. In a social media post, he wrote that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” U.S. media outlets reported that Trump has been presented with military strike options against Iran, though no final decision has been announced.
The U.S. State Department also issued a warning, saying: “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
With protests persisting, casualties rising and international tensions escalating, Iran faces mounting internal instability alongside growing risk of external confrontation.
