Iran’s government threatened to retaliate against the United States if President Donald Trump goes through with his reported plans to intervene in the country following the dramatic escalation of violence against protestors by Iranian security forces this weekend.
[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned on Sunday that both Israel and “all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets” in the event of an attack.
“We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat,” he added.
Read More: Iranians Are Protesting. Reza Pahlavi Can’t Save Them
The threat came as the New York Times reported that Trump was considering a strike on Iran in response to the killing of protesters and had been presented with numerous options. Although he has not made a final decision, he is reportedly seriously considering doing so after previously threatening that Iran would “pay hell” if the country’s leaders killed demonstrators.
“Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday. “The USA stands ready to help!!!”
The protests in Iran began two weeks ago in Tehran’s bazaars over rampant inflation, but have since spiraled into wider demonstrations against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his regime, which has ruled the country since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
A Tehran doctor told TIME Friday that just six hospitals in the capital reported more than 200 protestors killed, mostly “by live ammunition.” The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which relies on activists in Iran, said it could confirm 203 deaths on Sunday—162 protesters and 41 members of the security forces.
Khamenei said on Friday that the government would “not back down” in response to the protests.
The government shut off the country’s internet on Thursday, leading to an information blackout across much of the country, with limited media reaching the public. One shaky phone video shared on social media appeared to show crowds facing off against security forces in Tehran, chanting “Death to Khamenei.” Another video, reportedly taken in northeastern Mashhad, showed fires burning on Vakilabad highway.
Read more: Doctor Says More Than 200 Reported Dead in Tehran as Regime Opens Fire on Protests
The Center for Human Rights in Iran said that determining the exact number of protestors killed is impossible due to the internet blackout, but that they have received eyewitness reports of snipers, military rifles, and surveillance drones being used against people.
“[W]itnesses have said hospitals were overwhelmed, blood supplies are critically low, bodies are being piled up, and the number of casualties is rising by the hour,” the group said in a statement.
The tension between Trump and Iranian leaders comes just a week after the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduroand subsequent regime change in the South American nation, the culmination of a months-long military presence and campaign in the Caribbean. The move was criticized by world leaders, including Iranian allies, in the days since.
The post Iran Threatens To Retaliate Against U.S. As Trump Considers Strikes appeared first on TIME.
