Ghalibaf: Iran would target US military, shipping if attacked
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Iran’s parliament speaker warns of retaliation against US forces and shipping if Washington launches a new attack.
- The threat comes amid sustained protests inside Iran and heightened regional tensions involving ‘Israel’.
Iran would strike US military bases and shipping routes if the United States carries out a new military attack, the country’s parliament speaker said Sunday, issuing one of Tehran’s clearest warnings in months.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told lawmakers that any US strike would trigger a direct response. His remarks were broadcast on state television.
“Legitimate targets”
“In the event of a military attack by the United States, both the occupied territory and centres of the US military and shipping will be our legitimate targets,” Ghalibaf said.
Read more: ‘Israel’ on high alert over possible US intervention in Iran, Reuters reports
The reference to the “occupied territory” was widely understood as pointing to ‘Israel’, which Iran does not recognize and describes as occupied Palestinian land.
Protests add pressure
Ghalibaf’s comments came as Iran faces an ongoing wave of protests, described by officials as one of the most sustained periods of domestic unrest in recent years. The demonstrations have increased pressure on the ruling establishment and coincided with rising regional tensions.
Read more: Why do some Iran protestors wave ‘Israel’s’ flag?
Iranian leaders have repeatedly accused Washington of backing efforts to destabilize the country, a claim the United States denies.
Regional escalation risks
The warning underscores the risk of rapid escalation across the region, particularly in maritime corridors critical to global energy supplies. US forces maintain bases across the Middle East, while American and allied vessels regularly patrol key shipping lanes.
