Sky News halted their live coverage and it could prove a devastating blow to Donald Trump. It comes as Iran’s security establishment moved to tighten its grip on the recent unrest as they attempt to crackdown on mass anti-government protests. Iranian authorities warned that protesters could face the death penalty, while the military accused foreign “enemies” of fuelling the unrest. It urged citizens to remain alert to what it described as “enemy plots”.
Broadcasters Anna Jones and Kamali Melbourne halted their live broadcast to deliver the breaking news. Anna began: “Just going to bring you some breaking news that has just come in about Iran. There is a meeting underway in Iran’s parliament at present and the Reuters news agency have just reported that the parliamentary speaker has warned President Donald Trump that any attack would lead to Tehran striking Israel and regional US bases as legitimate target.”
Anne continued: “The latest we have had warnings from the country’s Attorney General saying that anyone who went out on the streets would be considered an ‘Enemy of God’ which is a charge that carries the death penalty.”
“Further to that, during that meeting in parliament it’s reported by AP that lawmakers rushed to the front at one point and started chanting ‘Death to America,’ Kamali remarked.
He continued: “That parliament is controlled by hardliners but it signifies that the tone in Iran has certainly hardened.
It comes as Tehran threatened retaliation on Sunday against US military bases and Israel which was on high alert in case Trump carried out his threat of attacking Iran to protect protesters.
The US president said last night that the “US was ready to help” as protestors faced threats of a brutal crackdown.
Authorities accuse the US and Israel of fomenting unrest. Iran’s police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said security forces had stepped up efforts to confront “rioters”.
Protests began on December 28 in response to soaring prices, before turning against the clerical rulers who have governed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian state television broadcast the parliament session live on Sunday (11 January).
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned: “I have a message for the delusional American President. Be careful that the advice being given to you about attacking Iran is not of the same kind as the ‘consultations’ through which you claimed that Mashhad had fallen.
“Therefore, in order to avoid miscalculations, be aware that if you take action to attack Iran, both the occupied territories and all US military centers, bases, and ships in the region will be considered legitimate targets by us.”