January 11, 2026 — Iran hasissued a serious warning that it would target Israel and U.S. military bases in the region if the United States launches military strikes against the country, as nationwide anti-government protests continue to challenge the clerical establishment amid a severe economic crisis.
The threat came from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former commander in the elite Revolutionary Guards, who addressed lawmakers on Sunday. He cautioned against any “miscalculation” by the U.S. and stated: “Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all U.S. bases and ships will be our legitimate target.”
The demonstrations erupted on December 28, initially sparked by soaring inflation and economic hardships. They quickly evolved into broader calls against the clerical rule that has governed Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The unrest represents the most significant challenge to the authorities since major protests in 2022.
Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israel of fomenting the demonstrations. Authorities have intensified efforts to suppress the movement, including imposing a nationwide internet blackout since Thursday, which has severely limited connectivity to about 1% of normal levels.
Rising Death Toll and Security Response
The scale of fatalities has sharply escalated in recent days. On Friday alone, 44 bodies were transferred to Madani Hospital in Karaj and another 36 to Ghaem Hospital in the same city, according to reports received by Iran International. Medical sources in other cities also reported a high number of deaths, while a doctor in the northern city of Rasht said that one hospital there received at least 70 bodies. Videos sent from Fardis, Karaj, and Alghadir Hospital in eastern Tehran showed bodies lying on the ground, indicating that the killings are widespread and not confined to a single area. Although an internet shutdown that began on January 8 has made it impossible to determine the full scope of the situation, consistent incoming accounts suggest that lethal force is being used extensively against protesters, with conservative estimates indicating that at least 2,000 people have been killed over the past 48 hours.
Iranian state television has broadcast funeral processions for security force members killed in the unrest, including reports of 30 such funerals planned in Isfahan and six members killed by “rioters” in Kermanshah. State media also reported that a mosque was set on fire by “rioters” in Mashhad on Saturday night. The Revolutionary Guards accused “terrorists” of attacking security facilities, while Iran’s police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, said forces had escalated confrontations with “rioters.”
U.S. Position and Regional Tensions
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iranian leaders against using force on demonstrators. On Saturday, he posted on social media: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
A senior U.S. intelligence official described the situation as an “endurance game,” with the opposition aiming to maintain pressure until key regime figures defect or flee, while authorities seek to instill fear and clear the streets without provoking direct U.S. intervention.
Israeli sources indicated that the country was on high alert over the weekend in anticipation of potential U.S. involvement. An Israeli government spokesperson declined to comment, and the military did not immediately respond to inquiries.
The two nations have a history of direct confrontation, including a 12-day war in June of the previous year, during which the U.S. joined Israel in airstrikes on Iran, prompting Iranian missile retaliation against a U.S. air base in Qatar.
In a Saturday phone call, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of U.S. intervention, according to an Israeli source familiar with the conversation. A U.S. official confirmed the call took place but provided no details on the topics.
Netanyahu, in an interview with The Economist published Friday, warned of severe consequences for Iran if it attacks Israel, while noting the internal unrest: “Everything else, I think we should see what is happening inside Iran.”
The situation remains highly volatile, with information flows from Iran restricted by the ongoing blackout and authorities vowing to continue their response to the protests.
