Iran Warns of Retaliation Against US Bases Amid Threats and Ongoing Protests

Iran has warned that it will strike US military bases across the Middle East if Washington launches an attack on Iranian territory, amid growing tensions and ongoing anti-government protests in the country.

A senior Iranian official made the remarks on Wednesday. The warning follows threats of possible US intervention by President Donald Trump during the unrest in Iran.

The official said Tehran has informed regional countries—from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to Turkey—that if the United States attacks Iran, US military bases located on their soil would be targeted in retaliation. Iran has also urged these countries to try to prevent any US military action against it, the official added.

Meanwhile, anti-government protests in Iran have entered their third week. Authorities are preparing to carry out what would be the first execution linked to the current wave of demonstrations, according to human rights groups.

They say Erfan Soltani, a protester arrested last week, could be executed as early as Wednesday. British newspaper The Guardian reported that the 26-year-old faces imminent execution after being arrested on Thursday, swiftly tried, convicted, and sentenced.

According to reports, Soltani was detained in Karaj, a city northwest of Tehran, at a time when protests were peaking nationwide before authorities shut down internet access. He is among thousands of demonstrators arrested in recent days.

Amnesty International has warned that Iranian authorities may again resort to expedited trials and arbitrary executions to suppress dissent and instill fear. The organization said it received information on January 11 indicating that officials had informed Soltani’s family of his death sentence.

Amnesty also said communication between Soltani and his family has been cut off since January 8, amid widespread protests and an internet blackout imposed by the government.