Israel and US troops will be considered 'legitimate targets' if Trump launches strikes over protests, Iran warns
It is understood that Israel remains on high alert for the possibility of any US intervention in Iran
Iran's parliament speaker has warned that both the US military and Israel would be "legitimate targets" if Donald Trump follows through on threats to strike Iran.
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Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened intervention if Iran continues its harsh response to protesters, which has seen 2,300 people arrested and has left at least 466 dead.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the threat as politicians rushed the dais in parliament, shouting: "Death to America!"
It is understood that Israel remains on high alert for the possibility of any US intervention in Iran - although what this means in practice is unclear.
At time of writing, Israel has not signalled any intention to intervene.
In an interview on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned there would be significant consequences for Iran if they chose to strike Israel.
It follows a phone conversation between Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday, January 10, where they discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran, according to an Israeli source.
The call has been confirmed by a US official, although no further details were provided.
President Trump been vocal in his support for protesters, writing on social media: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!"
Mr Trump also confirmed that US intelligence suggests the Iranian leader is planning to flee the country if protests continue.
“He’s looking to go some place,” he told Fox News.
He also told reporters the "enthusiasm to overturn that regime is incredible", saying that it could be "on the verge of collapse".
Reports citing anonymous US officials claim that Trump has been given military options for strikes on Iran at of Saturday night, but has not yet made a decision on whether to act.
As of Saturday, January 10, approximately 116 protesters had been confirmed dead by rights group HRANA, however activists have warned the internet blackout - which has been in place since January 8 - was blocking the ability to verify reports from within Iran.
There are concerns that the death toll is actually much higher.
The potential escalation follows as Iran’s security establishment tightens its grip on the unrest, with Iranian authorities warning protesters could be seen as "an enemy of God" - a charge that faces the death penalty.
The military has accused foreign "enemies" of fuelling the unrest, including the US and Israel, and urged citizens to remain alert to what it described as “enemy plots”.
The protests were sparked last week by soaring inflation, and have spread to more than 100 cities and towns across every province in Iran.
Protesters are now calling for an end to the clerical rule of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and have included chants in support of Iran’s pre-revolution leader, the shah, whose son Reza Pahlavi has called for further protests.
In a joint statement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer with the leaders of France and Germany, they stressed their "deep concern" and called for "restraint" in the region.