Dubai: Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, on Sunday warned that both the United States and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America carried out military strikes against the Islamic Republic amid the ongoing protests in the country. 

The lawmaker issued the warning amid a heated session in the Iranian parliament, where lawmakers rushed the dais shouting, “Death to America!” Iranian state television broadcast the event live.

“Death to America!”: Hard-liner threatens military action

Qalibaf praised Iranian police and the Revolutionary Guard, especially the all-volunteer Basij forces, for having “stood firm” during ongoing anti-government protests.

He added a stark warning for civilians in Iran, saying, “The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe way and punish those who are arrested.”

Also read: Protester storms Iranian embassy in London, hoists historic ‘Lion and Sun’ flag | WATCH

The speaker then extended his threat to foreign powers, saying, “In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory [Israel] and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets. We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat.”

President Donald Trump has publicly offered support for the protesters, tweeting, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

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According to The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, anonymous U.S. officials have briefed Trump on a range of military options, though no final decision has been made. The State Department also issued a stern warning to Tehran:

“Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”

While Qalibaf’s warnings appear forceful, analysts question the seriousness of Iran launching a strike, particularly after its air defences were reportedly weakened during a 12-day conflict with Israel last June.

Any decision on military action would ultimately rest with Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.