Iran has warned the United States that any attempt to intervene in its ongoing protests could prompt attacks on American military bases in the region, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday
The warning comes amid escalating tensions following repeated threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to support protesters in Iran, where rights groups report thousands of fatalities in the country’s largest demonstrations in decades.
Three diplomats said some personnel at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar were advised to leave by Wednesday evening. They emphasized that this was a precautionary measure, not a full-scale evacuation like the one preceding last year’s Iranian missile strikes. One diplomat described it as a “posture change” rather than an “ordered evacuation.”
In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Trump vowed “very strong action” if Iran executes protesters. “If they hang them, you’re going to see some things,” he said, adding that Iranians should continue protesting and seize control of institutions, declaring “help is on the way.”
The senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tehran had asked U.S. allies in the region to “prevent Washington from attacking Iran.”
“Tehran has told regional countries, from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Turkey, that U.S. bases in those countries will be attacked” if the U.S. targets Iran, the official said. The official also noted that direct contacts between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had been suspended, highlighting rising tensions.
An Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet had been briefed on Tuesday about the possibility of regime collapse or U.S. intervention in Iran, though the scope and timing remain unclear.
Iranian state media reported that Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s top security body, had spoken to Qatar’s foreign minister, while Araqchi contacted his counterparts in the UAE and Turkey, assuring them that Iranians were determined to defend their sovereignty against foreign interference.
Information from inside Iran has been limited by an internet blackout. The U.S.-based HRANA rights group has verified 2,403 deaths among protesters and 147 among government-affiliated individuals. An Iranian official told Reuters the death toll was roughly 2,000.
Authorities in Iran have accused the United States and Israel of instigating the unrest, labeling participants as “terrorists.” Visiting a Tehran prison, Iran’s chief justice emphasized the need for swift trials and punishment for those accused of beheading or burning people to prevent further incidents. HRANA reported 18,137 arrests so far.
State TV said a funeral procession would be held in Tehran on Wednesday for more than 100 civilians and security personnel killed during the unrest. Pro-government rallies were also held across Iran on Monday, showing continued support for the clerical establishment, with no apparent fractures within the security forces.
The unrest comes as Tehran continues to recover from last year’s regional conflicts and the weakening of its influence, including setbacks for allies such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
When asked about his “help is on the way” remark, Trump told reporters, “You would have to figure that out,” adding that while the death toll appears significant, the U.S. does not yet have full confirmation. He said more information would be available after receiving a report on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department on Tuesday urged American citizens to leave Iran immediately.
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