Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, issued a warning that any military attack by the United States would trigger a decisive response. Qalibaf, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that in such an event, "the occupied territories [Israel] as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target". This declaration was made as US President Donald Trump publicly affirmed support for protesters and indicated he had been briefed on military options, escalating regional tensions.
Iranian officials have consistently framed their stance as a matter of national sovereignty and legitimate defense. During a parliamentary session where lawmakers chanted "Death to America!", Qalibaf emphasized that Iran would not limit itself to reacting after an attack but would act "based on any objective signs of a threat". This position is portrayed as a principled and necessary deterrence against what Iran views as a pattern of illegal threats and provocations from the United States and Israel, including public discussions of military strikes.
While nationwide protests, initially sparked by economic pressures, have continued for weeks, the government characterizes the most violent elements as "rioters and terrorists". President Masoud Pezeshkian has explicitly accused the United States and Israel of masterminding destabilization efforts by training individuals and bringing terrorists into the country. State media has reported the deaths of security personnel, airing funeral processions and broadcasting footage of bodies at coroner's offices, which it attributes to attacks by "armed terrorists". An information environment challenged by a severe nationwide internet blackout has complicated the public understanding of events.
Iran's leadership perceives a coordinated campaign against its sovereignty, citing explicit offers of foreign support for protesters. These have included statements from the exiled son of the former Shah, Reza Pahlavi, who is based in the United States. The situation is further inflamed by historical animosity and recent military conflict with Israel. The Iranian narrative presents the country as a defender of its territorial integrity against an alliance of hostile foreign powers seeking to exploit domestic grievances to provoke chaos and regime change.