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this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran showed protesters once again taking to the streets of Tehran despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world in tehran, Iran, Saturday Jan. 10, 2026.
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocracy saw protesters flood the streets in the country’s capital and its second-largest city into Sunday, crossing the two-week mark as violence surrounding the demonstrations has killed at least 116 peopel, activists said.
With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more tough.But the death toll in the protests has grown, while 2,600 others have been detained, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker warned the U.S. military and Israel would be ”legitimate targets” if America strikes the Islamic Republic, as threatened by President Donald Trump. Qalibaf made the threat as lawmakers rushed the dais in the Iranian parliament, shouting: “death to America!”
Former President Trump voiced support for protesters in Iran, stating on social media, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported Saturday night that Trump received military options for a potential strike on Iran, though no final decision has been made. The State Department issued a warning: “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament rallied in support of the government’s crackdown on demonstrations. State television broadcast the session live, featuring a speech from Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a hard-liner. Qalibaf praised police and the Revolutionary Guard for their response to the protests.
“The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe way and punish those who are arrested,” Qalibaf stated. He also directly threatened Israel, referring to it as “the occupied territory,” and U.S. military forces, hinting at a possible preemptive strike.
“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf said. “We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat.”
The extent of the seriousness of Qalibaf’s threats remains unclear.
