Israeli officials say that if the United States moves ahead with a strike on Iran, Tehran might choose to launch a preemptive attack to gain strategic advantage, believing surprise would offer the greatest benefit as tensions rise over a potential conflict.

Iran’s parliament speaker warned Sunday that Israel, the US military, and shipping centers would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington launches a military attack on Tehran.

Addressing US President Donald Trump from the parliamentary podium, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said: “Within the framework of legitimate defense, we do not limit ourselves to responding only after an action. In the event of a US military attack, both the occupied territories (Israel) and US military and shipping centers will be legitimate targets for us.”

He said Iran is currently engaged in confrontation with Israel and the US on four fronts — economic, cognitive, military, and terrorist warfare — adding that these fronts are “unfolding simultaneously.”

“The enemies planned to recruit local terrorists during the 12-day war (of June 2025), but they failed. Now, they have recruited local terrorists. We are fighting terrorists,” he said, referring to current waves of protests in the country.

In the parliamentary chamber, lawmakers chanted anti-US slogans.

US military warns more time needed before any potential Iran strike

US military officials say additional time would be needed to prepare US forces before any potential attack on Iran, even as Trump considers a range of response options, according to US media reports.

“All options are on the table for President Trump but no decision has been made,” an anonymous US official told Axios, underscoring that discussions remain fluid and largely non-kinetic at this stage.

A senior military official cited by the New York Times said commanders in the region would want more time to consolidate US positions and bolster defenses against possible Iranian retaliation.

Officials said Trump has been briefed on multiple scenarios, including strikes on nonmilitary sites in Tehran, but has not reached a final decision.

US officials also warned that military action could have unintended consequences, including unifying the Iranian public behind its government or triggering retaliatory strikes across the region.

Trump said on Saturday that Iranians were “looking at freedom,” as protests that started on Dec. 28 continued to spread across the country, adding that Washington was ready to offer support.

“According to the US Government, Iran is ‘delusional’ for assessing that Israel and the US are fueling violent riots in our country,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on US social media company X.

“There is only one problem: President Trump’s own former CIA Director has openly and unashamedly highlighted what Mossad and its American enablers are really up to,” he said, with a screenshot of a post by Mike Pompeo, an ex-CIA head and well as former secretary of state under Trump.

“The only ‘delusional’ aspect of the current situation is the belief that arson does not ultimately (implicate) arsonists,” Araghchi added.

For his part, Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, called for “decisive action” against what he called “rioters.”

“The judiciary must take decisive action against those who create insecurity, kill people, and vandalize public properties in the riots that have engulfed a number of cities in Iran in recent days,” he told state broadcaster IRIB.

“It is necessary to draw a distinction between protests and riots,” he said.

“The criminal activities, such as killing people and arson attacks, closely resemble the methods used by terrorist groups like Daesh (ISIS),” Larijani said, warning that such violent measures “would only harm society, upset security, and result in consequent economic stagnation.”

Iran has been rocked by protests since Dec. 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaa due to the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions. Demonstrations later spread to several cities.

There are no official estimates on casualties, but the US-based rights group HRANA put the toll at 116, with more than 2,600 detained.

A Tehran doctor, however, told Time magazine on condition of anonymity that six hospitals in the capital recorded “at least 217 protester deaths, most by live ammunition.”

Last June, the US carried out airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan – as part of Operation Midnight Hammer during the brief Iran-Israel war.