ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - American interests in the Middle East will become the “legitimate target” of Iran’s forces, its parliament speaker said on Friday, in response to threats made by US President Donald Trump amid ongoing protests in Iran. 

Trump earlier on Friday warned Iran, following days of nationwide protests and deadly clashes between security forces and demonstrators, saying Washington is ready to come to their “rescue” should Tehran’s security forces kill protesters. 

“We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that American interests in the region will become Tehran’s “legitimate targets” should they intervene. 

“All American centers and forces in the entire region will be our legitimate target in response to any possible adventurism,” Ghalibaf wrote on X, responding to what he described as an “official admission” of Washington’s readiness to use military force against Tehran.

 The speaker also claimed that “legitimate protests” of the residents are being interfered with by “armed field agents,” exploiting demonstrations to take armed action against the state.

Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s top security body, also responded, saying US interference in Iran’s internal affairs would mean “destabilizing the entire region and destroying America’s interests” in a post on X.

“The American people should know — Trump started this adventurism. They should be mindful of their soldiers’ safety,” Larijani warned.

Strikes and protests erupted Sunday at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over the falling value of the rial against the US dollar, spreading to other provinces as tensions rose and clashes between demonstrators and security forces intensified.

The demonstrations turned violent shortly after, with frequent clashes between protesters and security forces leading to at least ten deaths and dozens of injuries, according to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization.

Amnesty International said it was “alarmed by reports of protesters killed in Iran,” calling on Iranian authorities to uphold the rights of free speech and peaceful assembly and “refrain from using unlawful force.”

The Islamic republic has a long history of cracking down on protesters and opening fire to control demonstrations, garnering international condemnation for the use of such tactics.

The protests carry particular significance for the state, as Iran’s economy heavily relies on the Grand Bazaar, which has rarely participated in demonstrations, especially during the country’s largest nationwide protests in 2022, when much of the crowd urged the bazaar to join a strike against the government.

Trump issued a similar warning days prior alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Washington would “absolutely” and “immediately” support potential Israeli military actions targeting Iran if Tehran continues developing its nuclear and missile programs.