Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Kayhan London
DUBAI/JERUSALEM, Jan 11 (Reuters) – Iran issued a warning to Washington on Sunday, threatening to retaliate in opposition to Israel and its army bases if the United States assaults Iran, after Israeli officers mentioned Israel was on excessive alert for attainable U.S. intervention.
As Iran’s clergy faces the biggest anti-government protests since 2022, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in current days and warned Iranian leaders in opposition to utilizing power in opposition to demonstrators. On Saturday, President Trump mentioned the United States was “prepared to assist.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned the United States to not make “miscalculations” in a speech in parliament on Sunday.
“Let me be clear: In the occasion of an assault on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) and all U.S. army bases and ships are authentic targets,” mentioned Qalibaf, a former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf meets with slain Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Major General Hossein Salami in Tehran, Iran, January 21, 2023. File photograph/Reuters/
Increase in loss of life toll
Three Israeli officers who attended Israeli safety talks over the weekend mentioned Israel was on excessive alert however didn’t elaborate on what that meant.
An Israeli authorities spokesperson declined to remark. The Israeli army didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Israel and Iran waged a 12-day warfare in June, with the United States becoming a member of Israel in launching airstrikes. Iran retaliated to the US assault by firing a missile at a US air base in Qatar.
US-based human rights group HRANA mentioned the loss of life toll had reached 116 folks, most of them protesters, but additionally 37 members of safety forces.
Iranian state tv broadcast funeral processions for safety forces killed in protests in western Iranian cities corresponding to Ghaksalan and Yasuj.
Videos on social media posted on Saturday confirmed massive crowds gathering in Tehran’s Punak district at night time, rhythmically beating drums on bridges and different metallic objects in an obvious signal of protest. Reuters confirmed the placement.
Iran’s rulers have quelled repeated unrest, most lately in 2022 over the custodial loss of life of a lady accused of violating the gown code.
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President Trump posted on social media on Saturday: “Iran desires freedom greater than maybe ever earlier than. America stands prepared to assist!!!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned the potential for U.S. intervention in Iran throughout a cellphone dialog on Saturday, in line with an Israeli official who was current on the assembly.
U.S. officers confirmed the 2 spoke, however declined to say what subjects they mentioned.
Tensions between the arch-enemies have escalated over Israel’s considerations about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile applications, with Israel displaying no intention to intervene.
Prime Minister Netanyahu mentioned in an interview with The Economist revealed Friday that there can be dire penalties if Iran attacked Israel. “I believe every little thing else wants to have a look at what is going on on inside Iran,” he mentioned, alluding to protests.
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