Iran vows to strike back if US attacks
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Iran's clerical establishment is facing the biggest anti-government protests since 2022.
PHOTO: AFP
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DUBAI/JERUSALEM – Tehran on Jan 11 threatened to retaliate against Israel and US bases in the event of US strikes on Iran, delivering the warning to Washington as Israeli sources said Israel was on high alert for the possibility of any US intervention.
With Iran’s clerical establishment facing the biggest anti-government protests since 2022
On Jan 11, Mr Trump said the US stands “ready to help”.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, speaking in Parliament on Jan 11, warned the United States against “a miscalculation”.
“Let us be clear: In the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target,” said Mr Qalibaf, a former commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Death toll increases
Three Israeli sources, who were present for Israeli security consultations over the weekend, said Israel was on a high alert footing, but did not elaborate on what that meant.
An Israeli government spokesperson declined to comment. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israel and Iran fought a 12-day war in June
Protests have spread across Iran since Dec 28, 2025, beginning in response to soaring inflation
The flow of information from Iran has been hampered by an internet blackout imposed by the authorities since Jan 8.
A US-based rights group, HRANA, said the death toll had climbed to 116, mostly protesters, but including 37 members of the security forces.
Iranian state TV broadcast funeral processions in western Iranian cities like Gachsaran and Yasuj for security forces killed in protests.
A social media video posted on Jan 10 showed large crowds gathered in Tehran’s Punak neighbourhood at night-time, drumming rhythmically on a bridge or other metal objects in an apparent sign of protest. Reuters verified the location.
Iran’s rulers have quelled repeated bouts of unrest, most recently in 2022 over the death in custody of a woman accused of violating dress codes.
US official sees ‘endurance game’ in Iran
Mr Trump, posting on social media on Jan 10, said: “Iran is looking at freedom, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!”
In a phone call on Jan 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran, according to an Israeli source who was present for the conversation.
A US official confirmed the two men spoke, but did not say what topics they discussed.
A senior US intelligence official on Jan 10 described the situation in Iran as an “endurance game”.
The opposition was trying to keep up pressure until key government figures either flee or switch sides, while the authorities were trying to sow enough fear to clear the streets without giving the United States justification to intervene, the official said.
Israel has not signalled a desire to intervene, with tensions between the two arch-foes high over Israeli concerns about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
In an interview with the Economist published on Jan 9, Mr Netanyahu said there would be horrible consequences for Iran if it were to attack Israel.
Alluding to the protests, he said: “Everything else, I think we should see what is happening inside Iran.” REUTERS
