Iran says ready to respond “decisively” to enemies

• IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour declared that Iranian forces are at "peak readiness" to deliver a decisive response to any "miscalculation" by the US or ‘Israel’, accusing Trump and Netanyahu of orchestrating the nationwide protests.
• In response to Iranian threats of strikes on regional military bases, the US began a "temporary and partial" evacuation of personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Iran is ready to respond "decisively" to its foes ‘Israel’ and the United States, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday, accusing their leaders of being behind protests that swept the Islamic republic.

The Guards are at "the height of readiness to respond decisively to the miscalculation of the enemy," said IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour in a written statement quoted by state television, accusing US President Donald Trump and ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being the "murderers of the youth of Iran".

This pronouncement arrives amid one of the most extensive nationwide demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which commenced in late December 2025. 

Initially triggered by acute economic hardships, such as inflation surpassing 50%, escalating food costs, and a depreciating rial exacerbated by international sanctions and internal economic policies, the protests have broadened into demands for political overhaul and leadership transition. 

Internationally, US President Donald Trump has voiced solidarity with the protesters, declaring that "help is on its way" and threatening "very strong action" should Iran execute demonstrators. 

Reports indicate an impending execution of activist Erfan Soltani, prompting consultations with national security advisors regarding potential military or economic countermeasures. 

As a precautionary measure, select US personnel have been instructed to evacuate Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, anticipating possible Iranian reprisals.