The crisis in Iran is deepening, with reports suggesting Washington and Tel Aviv have discussed possible US military intervention, while Tehran warns it will retaliate against any attack. At the same time, Iran remains gripped by mass protests, a sweeping internet blackout, and a growing death toll.
Iranian officials have issued stark warnings, declaring that US forces and Israel would become “legitimate targets” if the United States launches military action against Iran. The statement came as US President Donald Trump renewed public support for Iranian protesters, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
Iran Warns of Retaliation as US and Israel Discuss Military Options
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told lawmakers that any US strike would trigger direct retaliation. He warned that Israeli territory and US military and shipping centres would be considered legitimate targets in the event of an American attack.
Reports from German outlet Der Spiegel indicate that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of US intervention in a phone call on Saturday. Meanwhile, US media including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal report that President Trump was presented with military strike options, though no final decision has been made.
Trump has repeatedly voiced support for protesters challenging Iran’s leadership. Posting on Truth Social, he wrote that Iran is “looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” adding that the United States is ready to help. The US State Department reinforced the message, warning that Trump’s threats should be taken seriously.
Protests Enter Third Week as Internet Blackout Deepens
Demonstrations across Iran have now stretched beyond two weeks, with large crowds continuing to gather in Tehran and Mashhad to protest against the country’s theocratic leadership. As unrest grows, so does concern over the lack of information coming out of the country.
Iran’s nationwide internet shutdown has now lasted more than 60 hours, severely restricting communication and independent reporting. Monitoring group Netblocks warned that the blackout poses a direct threat to the safety of citizens at a critical moment in Iran’s future.
Human rights organisations fear the blackout is being used to conceal a violent crackdown. The Centre for Human Rights in Iran said such shutdowns have historically preceded mass killings of protesters, pointing to similar events during protests in 2019.
Rising Death Toll and Mass Arrests Fuel Global Alarm
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that at least 116 people have been killed in connection with the protests, including 37 members of security forces or state officials. Activists caution that the real figure could be much higher due to restricted access to information.
Arrests are also accelerating. The same agency estimates that at least 2,600 people have been detained. Iran’s national police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan confirmed that “key figures” in the protests were arrested on Saturday night, promising punishment following legal proceedings, though he did not disclose identities or numbers.
As international concern mounts, Iran’s leadership faces growing internal resistance, while the possibility of external military involvement looms in the background — creating a volatile situation with potentially far-reaching consequences.
