The Iranian regime just crossed a dangerous line by publicly warning that U.S. bases, ships and even Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington retaliates for Tehran’s crackdown on protesters — a message no free nation should tolerate. That threat, voiced by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, is not diplomacy; it’s a direct challenge to American sovereignty and to the safety of our servicemembers in the region.
President Trump answered in plain language the American people appreciate: “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting, too,” — a blunt warning aimed at deterring bloodshed and defending freedom-loving Iranians standing up to tyranny. He is right to put Tehran on notice and to explore options that protect civilians without getting bogged down in wishful thinking from the weak-kneed crowd.
Make no mistake, this crisis grew out of grinding economic collapse and mass anger that has spilled into nationwide protests, an internet blackout, and reports of hundreds of deaths — chaos Tehran tries to blame on outsiders while its security services kill their own people. The White House is reportedly weighing a menu of responses, from cyber and targeted strikes to sanctions and communications support for protesters, because sometimes words alone won’t stop monsters.
Conservatives should celebrate a president who speaks like a leader rather than a cowering bureaucrat. While the left and mainstream media wring their hands and lecture about “restraint,” Trump reminds the world that America will not watch freedom die quietly; that resolve matters when tyrants calculate whether the United States has the stomach to act. No appeaser has ever kept America safe, and the time for moral clarity is now.
Tehran’s blustering about striking U.S. and Israeli assets if struck first is exactly the type of brinkmanship that risks a wider regional war, and allies like Israel are already on high alert for spillover. This isn’t saber-rattling for domestic headlines — it’s a serious, premeditated escalation brewed inside a regime that sponsors terror and lies to its own people daily.
Washington must back the president with strength, not second-guessing, and Congress ought to authorize whatever limited, precise tools are needed to protect Americans, allies, and the brave Iranians demanding liberty. At home we must shore up our defenses, give our military clear rules of engagement, and stop lecturing from the comfort of think tanks while our troops face real threats abroad.
Patriots, this is a moment to stand tall for freedom and for the men and women in uniform who protect it. The Iranian mullahs have shown their true face — brutal, desperate, and willing to threaten the United States. President Trump’s warning was necessary, his resolve justified, and every American who loves liberty should be ready to support decisive action to defend it.
