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Iran has threatened to retaliate with force against the United States and its allies if President Trump proceeds with military intervention in response to the regime’s deadly crackdown on protesters.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, protests in Iran have continued to grow over what started as anger over economic hardship and have rapidly escalated into a nationwide uprising against the regime, with demonstrators calling for the downfall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The protests have spread to over 185 cities, and according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 544 people have been killed, including 490 protesters and 48 members of security forces, with more than 10,600 arrested. Witnesses report widespread use of live ammunition, sniper fire, and military-grade weapons against civilians, overwhelming hospitals andleaving bodies piled up in morgues. In response, President Trump previously warned that Iran would “pay hell” if its leaders killed demonstrators and has since said Iran is “starting to” cross the threshold that could trigger US military action. Trump is now weighing a range of possible responses, including airstrikes, cyber operations, and sanctions, and is set to be briefed by his national security team.

What’s going on now: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that “we do not want war, but we are completely prepared for it — even more prepared than before the previous war.” Speaking in a televised meeting with foreign diplomats in Tehran, he added, “The best way to prevent war is to be prepared for war, so that our enemies do not once again fall into miscalculation.” Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf went further, saying that in the event of a US strike, “all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets.” He warned,“We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat.”

President Trump has responded in kind, warning that if Iran targets US military interests in the Middle East, they will be hit “so hard” and in places they “could not even imagine.”

These escalating threats come as Israeli media report that Iran and Israel nearly stumbled into conflict twice in recent weeks due to mutual miscalculations and fears of preemptive attacks. Former Israeli Military Intelligence chief Tamir Hayman said that Iranian military preparedness triggered a “coordination imperative” between Israel and the US to avoid unintended escalation. Hayman warned that US influence operations, cyber efforts, and psychological campaigns are already underway and could rapidly evolve into full-blown conflict depending on Iran’s actions.

He also said that Tehran has fully restored its missile production lines since the June war and is now seeking Chinese support to further expand its capabilities.