Iran threatens to strike Israel and US bases if it is attacked
In a new escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the Islamic Republic of Iran a strongly worded warning to the United States, threatening to expand the conflict to include Washington's allies in the region if Tehran is subjected to any military attack.
This warning came from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who addressed members of parliament on Sunday, delivering a direct message to President Donald Trump. Ghalibaf asserted that any American military folly would be met with an immediate and decisive Iranian response, emphasizing that Israel and American military bases in the region would be considered "legitimate targets" for Iranian missiles.
High alert and regional tension
These threats come at a time when intelligence reports and field sources indicate that Israel has raised its alert level to the highest degree. Tel Aviv fears being caught in the crossfire should the United States decide to intervene militarily or logistically to support the escalating popular movement inside Iran, which could transform the region into an open, multi-front war zone.
This threat to strike US bases carries serious strategic implications, given the extensive US military presence in the Gulf region and Iraq, which puts the security of the entire region and global energy routes under unprecedented pressure.
Home Front: Protests and calls for escalation
In parallel with the external tensions, the Iranian authorities face a growing internal challenge in the form of protest movement , now in its fourteenth day. These protests initially erupted over deteriorating living conditions and the economy, but quickly gained political momentum.
In a significant development, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed Shah and a resident of the United States, entered the fray, calling on protesters to escalate their movement. In a post on the "X" platform (formerly Twitter), Pahlavi stated, "Our goal is no longer simply to control the streets; the goal is to prepare to seize and control city centers.".
Pahlavi urged Iranians to intensify their street protests on Saturday and Sunday evenings, expressing his confidence in his imminent return to his homeland, indicating an attempt by the opposition abroad to capitalize on popular anger to unite against the current regime.
Historical context and strategic importance
Historically, Tehran has consistently used the threat of striking Israel and targeting American interests as part of its defensive and deterrent doctrine in the face of Western pressure. Iran views the surrounding American bases as a tool of encirclement, while Washington considers them essential for regional security.
The danger of the current situation lies in its coinciding with Iran's crippling internal economic crises, which could push decision-makers to escalate the external situation to unify the domestic front—a tactic known politically as "preemptive action." Meanwhile, the international community is watching these developments with grave concern, as any direct military confrontation could lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a dramatic surge in oil prices, and the destabilization of neighboring countries.
