Analyst on Iran's move with US as unrest calms down

Iran is prepared to defend itself from the tensions with the United States as ordinary citizens go on their daily life after recent unrest, according to residents and political analysts in Tehran.

Iranian authorities said order has been restored from the protests that erupted in several Iranian cities late December, adding that the United States and Israel may be behind the protests, with some turning into deadly clashes.

U.S. President Donald Trump said last Thursday that a U.S. "armada" is heading towards Iran but hoped he would not have to use it. On Tuesday, he said an additional "armada" of U.S. military vessels was sailing toward Iran.

"We are not the slaves of the U.S. Everyone is alert - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Basij force, and the army. We will respond decisively. People should not be worried," said Naser, a resident in Tehran.

"The U.S. can never beat us. If they attack, we will defeat them," said Maryam, another resident.

Drawing on its previous experiences during the 12-day war with Israel and the United States in June 2025, Iran would "definitely give a comprehensive and regret-inducing response to any aggression," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday, responding to U.S. military movements in West Asia and its ongoing joint drills with Gulf states.

"During the 12-day war, they first waged war and then tried to bring people into the streets. This time, however, they planned the protests first and then sought a U.S. attack. This means the U.S. wanted to turn Iran into something like Syria and then push certain actors inside the country to call for American intervention. Now that the situation is calm, they no longer know on what grounds they should attack," said Rahamotollah Bigdeli, a political expert in Tehran.

So far, there is no indication that the White House has made any decision on Iran.

Trump has repeatedly said he is considering several options, including striking Iran, but also noted that Tehran "wants to talk," suggesting that Washington may enter into discussions with Tehran, according to U.S. media reports.

A total of 6,594 people have been hospitalized in Israel since it joined the United States to launch military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, the Israeli Health Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Over the past 24 hours, 148 injured individuals were admitted to hospitals, according to the ministry. The figures include both military personnel and civilians.