WW3 fears soar as Iran warns US troops are 'legitimate targets' after Trump's threat

Iran has reacted with fury following a stark warning from former President Donald Trump, raising concerns of a possible escalation in the region.

Trump recently posted on Truth Social that his administration was “locked and loaded and ready to go” to protect protesters in Iran if the government “violently kills” demonstrators. This comment came amid ongoing protests that have lasted nearly a week, with at least seven people reported dead so far.

In response, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, issued a strong warning. He stated that American bases and personnel in the region “will be legitimate targets” if the U.S. interferes, signaling Tehran’s readiness to retaliate.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, also condemned Trump and Israel, accusing them of using the protests as a pretext to attack Iran. He emphasized that U.S. intervention could destabilize the region and harm American interests.

This latest exchange adds to a long history of tension. In 2019, Trump imposed sanctions on Iranian officials during his “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program. More recently, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June prompted retaliation from Iran, including an attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts American troops.

Trump has previously claimed that U.S. strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but he warned that Tehran is rebuilding and stressed that the U.S. “cannot allow them to build up” if peace in the Middle East is to be maintained.

With both sides exchanging strong statements, experts warn that any escalation could have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just the Middle East but global stability.