Amid rising unrest inside Iran and growing international concern, reports suggest senior US and Israeli officials have discussed possible American intervention. Tehran has responded with stark warnings that any US military action would make US and Israeli forces “legitimate targets.” Meanwhile, Iran’s nationwide internet blackout entered its third day and the confirmed death toll from ongoing protests climbed to at least 116.
Tehran’s Stark Warning as US Signals Support
Iran’s parliament issued a blunt message to Washington and Tel Aviv this weekend. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, said if the United States carries out a military strike, both US forces and Israeli positions would be considered valid targets for retaliation. Iran does not recognise Israel and refers to it as “occupied Palestinian territory.”
The warning comes as President Donald Trump reiterated US support for Iranian demonstrators. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States is ready to help, calling the current moment in Iran a reflection of a deep desire for freedom. Earlier this week, Trump also suggested he would be prepared to take military action if Iranian authorities continued to kill protesters.
Separately, the State Department issued a terse statement underscoring Trump’s seriousness, warning that he follows through on his commitments. According to reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, Trump was presented with military options on Saturday night, though no final decision has been made. German outlet Der Spiegel also reported a call between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss possible intervention.
Protests Intensify as Internet Cut Persists
Iran has now entered the third day of a near-total internet blackout. According to monitoring group Netblocks, the shutdown passed 60 hours on Sunday, severely restricting news and information from the ground. Human rights organisations warn that such a blackout often precedes brutal crackdowns.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports at least 116 deaths linked to nationwide protests against the theocratic government, including 37 members of security forces or officials. However, activists say the real toll could be much higher due to limited communication.
The Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) expressed grave concern, noting that similar internet shutdowns in 2019 were followed by deadly mass killings of protesters. Netblocks called the censorship a “direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of Iranians at a key moment for the country’s future.”
Arrests Mount as Government Pushes Back
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in cities including Tehran and Mashhad, demanding change. In response, authorities have detained large numbers of demonstrators. The Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates at least 2,600 arrests so far.
Iran’s national police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, confirmed on state television that significant arrests were made over the weekend, describing those detained as “main elements in the riots” who will face legal consequences. He did not provide specifics on the number or identities of those arrested.
As both domestic upheaval and international tensions grow, the situation in Iran remains volatile, with the potential for dramatic shifts depending on both internal government actions and external geopolitical decisions.
