8 hours ago
Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 14:42 IST
Parliament Speaker warned Iran will target US military and shipping if attacked. Protests continue amid internet blackout, arrests, and reports of hundreds killed.
Anti-government chants filled the streets of Iran's capital on late Saturday. (AFP/X)
Iran will strike US military and shipping targets if the United States attacked amid the ongoing anti-government protests, the parliament speaker said on Sunday.
“In the event of a military attack by the United States, both the occupied territory and centres of the US military and shipping will be our legitimate targets," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told the parliament in comments broadcast by state TV.
Meanwhile, AFP quoted the national police chief saying many significant arrests of key figures were made on Saturday evening.
“Last night (Saturday evening), significant arrests were made of the main elements in the riots, who, God willing, will be punished after going through legal procedures," Ahmad-Reza Radan told state TV.
Fresh protests erupted against the clerical authorities overnight despite an internet shutdown.
AFP quoted monitor Netblocks stating the internet blackout “is now past the 60 hour mark… The censorship measure presents a direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of Iranians at a key moment for the country’s future".
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, 116 people have died in the protests, including 37 members of the security forces or other officials.
The US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said it had received “eyewitness accounts and credible reports indicating that hundreds of protesters have been killed across Iran during the current internet shutdown".
“A massacre is unfolding in Iran. The world must act now to prevent further loss of life," it said.
AFP also quoted the CHRI stating that hospitals were “overwhelmed", blood supplies were running low and that many protesters had been shot in the eyes in a deliberate tactic.
First Published:
January 11, 2026, 14:42 IST
News world Iran Will Strike US Military, Shipping Targets If Attacked: Parliament Speaker
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