Amid escalating tensions, Iran's parliament speaker issues a stark warning: US troops and Israel will be targeted if America intervenes in the ongoing protests. The death toll continues to rise, with at least 116 people killed as nationwide protests challenge Iran's theocracy. With the internet and phone lines down, gauging the demonstrations from abroad is challenging, but the situation remains volatile. The speaker's threat comes as President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Iran, and the US military has been postured with forces capable of defending its interests and allies in the region.
The protests, which began over economic issues, have grown into a challenge to Iran's theocracy. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in Tehran and Mashhad, among other cities, with some reports of peaceful marches and others of confrontations with security forces. The protests have been supported by Iran's exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has called for demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday, urging protesters to carry national symbols. However, the support of Pahlavi by Israel has drawn criticism in the past.
As the situation remains fluid, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signaled a coming clampdown, with the attorney general warning that anyone participating in protests will be considered an 'enemy of God.' The protests have been fueled by economic hardship, with the Iranian rial currency collapsing and the country's economy squeezed by international sanctions. The US has offered support for the protesters, but the situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation and intervention.
