In a sharp rebuke to a recent statement by former President Trump, a high-ranking Iranian official on Friday issued a stern warning against U.S. intervention in Iran’s internal matters. The official cautioned that any U.S. support for protesters in Iran could provoke retaliation against American military installations and personnel stationed in the Middle East.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who serves as the Speaker of Iran’s parliament, reacted to Trump’s declarations on Truth Social. Trump had asserted that the U.S. was “locked and loaded and ready to go” to protect “peaceful protesters” in Iran, should the Iranian government resort to violence against them.

Ghalibaf took to the platform X to convey his response, stating, “The disrespectful President of America should understand that by acknowledging this stance, all American bases and forces throughout the region become legitimate targets for us if any adventurous actions are taken.”

He further emphasized, “Iranians have always shown unity and resolve when confronting an aggressive adversary.”