Iran has responded to President Donald Trump's warning of US intervention to protect protesters by stating that American bases and troops in the region would be considered legitimate targets. This statement from Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf came after Trump posted on Truth Social that the US was "locked and loaded" to support peaceful protesters. The protests, initially sparked by the rial's collapse, have increasingly featured anti-government slogans, with at least seven deaths reported. This exchange marks an escalation following previous US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.