Donald Trump has been branded “delusional” by a high-ranking politician in Iran. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the Parliament speaker in Iran, issued a stern warning at Washington, after the US President expressed his support for the protesters in Iran.

During a Parliament session held on Sunday, January 11, the politician said: “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 centres, bases, and ships in the region will be considered legitimate targets by us.”

The US president has reportedly been briefed on the possibility of striking Iran in response to its crackdown on the protests.

In a post on social media, he said Washington “stands ready to help” after previously warning that his forces were “locked and loaded” if the regime killed protestors.

He wrote on Truth Social: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

According to non-governmental organisation Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA), the death toll has reached 466 since demonstrations began on December 28.

The BBC confirmed that the morgue was overflowing at Poursina Hospital in Rasht city after at least 70 bodies were brought there overnight.

Elsewhere, a medic at a Tehran hospital said their staff was in crisis mode after protesters were brought in with “direct shots to the heads” and “to their hearts as well”.

A hospital worker in the capital city, Tehran, said there have been so many wounded patients that staff have not had the time to perform CPR.

She told the BBC: “Around 38 people died. Many as soon as they reached the emergency beds… direct shots to the heads of the young people, to their hearts as well. Many of them didn’t even make it to the hospital.