Iran's leadership has issued warnings to U.S. military personnel and bases in the Middle East, designating them as "legitimate targets" should the United States intervene in the ongoing domestic protests. This statement was made by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, following remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that the U.S. would respond if Iran resorted to violence against demonstrators.

The protests, which have emerged in response to rising prices and a declining currency, have reportedly resulted in at least eight fatalities, with opposition groups mobilizing against the government. Iranian officials, including Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have emphasized that any foreign interference would provoke a strong reaction from Iran, reflecting a historical wariness of U.S. involvement in the region.

The Iranian military's capabilities, which include aging aircraft such as F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats, raise questions about the feasibility of a military confrontation with the U.S., given the latter's advanced air superiority. The U.S. maintains approximately 40,000 troops in the Middle East, stationed across various countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria.

Trump's comments about U.S. readiness to act have sparked concerns regarding the implications of military involvement, particularly the potential for accusations of foreign interference in Iran's internal affairs. Historical context suggests that previous U.S. support for uprisings, such as the 2009 Green Revolution, was limited, which may influence perceptions of current U.S. intentions.

The protests have evolved from economic grievances into broader anti-regime demonstrations, reminiscent of significant unrest following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Reports indicate that funerals for those killed in the protests have become sites of further unrest, with mourners clashing with security forces. Demonstrators have voiced anti-government sentiments, calling for regime change and expressing anger towards the leadership.

In light of the unrest, Iranian officials have announced plans to review a long-delayed "Assembly and Rally Bill," aimed at regulating public gatherings. Critics argue that such legislation seeks to control dissent rather than address the underlying causes of the protests, highlighting the challenges faced by the Iranian populace in their struggle for social and economic equity.