Tehran , January 11, 2026 — Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply as Iran went on high alert following warnings from the United States, amid continuing anti-government protests and reports of heavy civilian casualties. According to U.S. officials, American President Donald Trump has been briefed on possible military options against Iran, although no final decision has yet been taken.
Iran has been witnessing widespread protests for the past two weeks, with demonstrators demanding political freedoms and accountability. Human rights groups and local sources have claimed that at least 217 protesters have died, most of them from gunshot wounds, based on records from only six hospitals in the capital Tehran. Authorities have reportedly arrested more than 2,600 people so far as security forces attempt to contain the unrest.
President Trump, in a post on social media over the weekend, stated that Iran was “looking toward freedom like never before” and that the United States was “ready to help.” American officials indicated that if Iranian authorities intensify their crackdown on protesters, Washington could seriously consider military action. The U.S. military has already presented the president with potential strike options, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
In response, Iran’s leadership has issued a sharp warning. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared on Sunday that if the U.S. attacks Iran, both American forces and Israel would become “legitimate targets.” His remarks came amid dramatic scenes in the Iranian parliament, where lawmakers chanted anti-American slogans. Notably, this is the first time Iranian leadership has explicitly named Israel as a direct target in the event of U.S. military action.
The threat has placed Israel on high alert. Israeli security agencies have reportedly increased vigilance, fearing possible retaliation. Israel and Iran had already engaged in a 12-day conflict in June, during which the United States supported Israeli air operations. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with discussions believed to have focused on potential American involvement in Iran. While U.S. officials confirmed the call, details of the discussion were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has adopted a hardline stance. Iran’s Attorney General warned that protesters could be labeled “enemies of God,” a charge that carries the death penalty under Iranian law. Protests have also spread internationally, with demonstrations outside the Iranian embassy in London. During one protest, demonstrators briefly replaced the current Iranian flag with the pre-1979 tricolor bearing the lion and sun symbol, prompting heightened security and several arrests by London police.
Adding to the pressure on Tehran, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iranians to remain on the streets. In a video message, he called on citizens to protest peacefully and claimed that the regime’s security apparatus was weakening. Pahlavi also announced that he is preparing to return to Iran after nearly five decades in exile, expressing confidence that a decisive moment for the country is approaching.
As diplomatic tensions, internal unrest, and military posturing converge, the situation remains highly volatile, with the possibility of wider regional conflict looming large.
