Iran’s judiciary chief threatens ‘those who say or do anything’ in support of US-Israeli airstrikes

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Threatens Supporters of U.S.-Israeli Airstrikes as Conflict Intensifies

Iran’s judiciary chief issued a stern warning on Wednesday against anyone supporting the ongoing U.S.-Israeli airstrike campaign targeting the Islamic Republic, raising the specter of potential death penalty charges for those deemed to be cooperating with “the enemy.”

Gholam Hosseini Mohseni Ejehei, speaking in an interview with Iranian state television, declared that “those who say or do anything in line with the will of America and the Zionist regime are on the enemy’s side and must be dealt with on revolutionary, Islamic principles and in accordance with the time of war.”

His comments suggest that individuals expressing support for the military campaign could face severe charges, as cooperation with an enemy can carry the death penalty under Iranian law. Ejehei drew parallels to the government’s response to nationwide protests in January, which Iran violently suppressed.

“As we said during the unrest, riot cases are a priority,” Ejehei stated. “We have now also announced that those who cooperate with the enemy in any way will be considered an enemy.”

The judiciary chief’s threats come as the conflict between Iran and the U.S.-Israeli coalition entered its fifth day, with explosions reported in Tehran at dawn on Wednesday. Israel’s military stated its air defenses had been activated to intercept Iranian missiles targeting the country, with explosions heard around Jerusalem.

The economic impact of the conflict has been immediate and significant. Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil is transported—has contributed to Brent crude prices rising above $82 a barrel, a 13% increase since hostilities began. This marks the highest oil price since July 2024. Global stock markets have suffered amid concerns that elevated oil prices could hamper economic growth and reduce corporate profits.

The scope of the military campaign has been extensive. U.S. Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, reported that Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones thus far. In response, he described American strikes in the opening hours as “nearly double the scale” of the initial attacks during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

“We’ve already struck nearly 2,000 targets, with more than 2,000 munitions. We have severely degraded Iran’s air defenses and destroyed hundreds of Iran’s ballistic missiles, launchers and drones,” Cooper stated in a prerecorded message released Wednesday. “In simple terms, we are focused on shooting all the things that can shoot at us.”

The human toll has been devastating. Nearly 800 people have been killed in Iran, according to the Red Crescent Society. In Israel, 11 people have died since the conflict began. The violence has extended beyond the two primary belligerents, with American diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates coming under drone attacks on Tuesday. The U.S. State Department has authorized non-emergency government personnel to evacuate Saudi Arabia.

Regional instability continues to spread. Lebanon has suffered multiple Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah militants, with Lebanon’s state-run media reporting at least five people killed in an Israeli strike on a residential complex in Baalbeck. The Lebanese Health Ministry reports more than 50 dead and over 300 wounded across the country.

Iran-linked militant groups in Iraq have also joined the fray, with Saraya Awliya al-Dam claiming responsibility for a Wednesday drone attack on Jordan. The Shiite militia group has also claimed responsibility for recent attacks on American targets in Baghdad and Irbil.

The objectives of the U.S.-Israeli campaign remain somewhat ambiguous. While the initial strikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to overthrow their government, senior administration officials have since stated that regime change is not the goal. Trump himself has suggested the war could last a month or longer, and recently indicated that “someone from within” the Iranian regime might be the best choice to take power once the campaign concludes.

Israel, however, has taken a more aggressive stance. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on social media platform X that whoever Iran selects as its next supreme leader “will be a target for elimination.” The Israeli military also reported strikes on buildings in Tehran associated with the Basij, the volunteer force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard responsible for the violent suppression of January’s protests.

As the conflict shows no signs of abating, Iran’s leadership is scrambling to replace Khamenei, who ruled the country for 37 years. It marks only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that a new supreme leader must be chosen, with candidates ranging from hardliners opposed to Western engagement to reformists seeking diplomatic solutions.