Iran threatens Israel and US amid growing talk of military strike

Iran would treat Israeli targets and U.S. military bases across the Middle East as “legitimate targets” in the event of an attack.

By World Israel News Staff

Iran’s leadership on Sunday issued stark warnings against any potential U.S. military action, as reports emerged of heightened Israeli readiness and growing deliberations in Washington amid intensifying unrest inside the Islamic Republic.

Speaking before Iran’s parliament, Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that any American strike would trigger a direct response from Tehran. According to remarks reported by Reuters, Qalibaf said Iran would treat Israeli targets and U.S. military bases across the Middle East as “legitimate targets” in the event of an attack.

The warning came as Reuters also reported that Israel has raised its level of alert, citing concerns that the United States could move toward military action in response to the Iranian regime’s increasingly violent crackdown on protesters. Demonstrations have spread across the country in recent days, accompanied by reports of internet blackouts and mounting casualties.

Against this backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Axios, which cited three unnamed sources familiar with the call. The two reportedly discussed the widespread anti-regime protests in Iran, developments in Syria, and ongoing efforts to advance a ceasefire or broader agreement in Gaza.

The New York Times separately reported that President Donald Trump is “seriously considering” authorizing a strike on Iran, as images and accounts of a brutal response to demonstrators continue to circulate despite heavy restrictions on communications inside the country.

On Truth Social on Saturday, Trump wrote that “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

Political pressure in Washington has also intensified. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime critic of Iran’s ruling clerics, posted a message on X expressing support for the protesters and signaling that the White House is paying close attention.

“When President Trump says ‘Make Iran Great Again,’ it means the protesters in Iran must prevail over the ayatollah,” Graham wrote. “To all who are sacrificing in Iran, God bless. Help is on the way.”

As rhetoric sharpens on all sides, the convergence of internal unrest in Iran, explicit threats from Tehran, and reported military deliberations in Washington has heightened concerns of a broader regional escalation, with Israel and U.S. forces potentially drawn into a rapidly evolving crisis.

Iran attackIran protestsLindsey GrahamMarco RubioMohammad Baqer Qalibaf