Iran’s parliament speaker has warned that American military bases throughout the region will be viewed as legitimate targets should the United States take aggressive action. The Friday threat followed President Trump’s declaration that Washington would intervene if Iranian authorities use deadly force against protesters frustrated by economic conditions where official figures show unprecedented inflation levels.
Seven people have died in violent confrontations since demonstrations erupted Sunday. Official figures show inflation reached 42.5 percent in December, a staggering rate that has devastated household budgets and sparked widespread anger. The protests began in Tehran with shopkeepers criticizing government policies but have expanded nationwide.
Trump’s intervention warning has provoked sharp resistance from Tehran’s leadership. A senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei specifically warned that any US involvement in Iran’s domestic crisis would spread chaos beyond the country’s borders, raising concerns about broader regional conflict.
The economic data driving the protests is alarming. While official figures show 42.5 percent inflation, the rial has also collapsed to approximately 1.4 million per US dollar. Combined with weak economic growth, these official figures show an economy in severe distress that has pushed citizens to their breaking point.
President Pezeshkian’s administration has sought to project understanding for protesters’ frustrations with the conditions official figures show. Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian used Islamic teachings to frame addressing economic welfare as a moral obligation. Despite this sympathetic tone, he has acknowledged having few options to reverse the trends. The prosecutor general has attempted to distinguish legitimate economic protests from security threats, validating the former while promising decisive action against the latter.