Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring that Iranian forces are ready to “set troops on fire” if American boots touch Iranian soil.
His remarks come amid growing reports that thousands of US Marines are being deployed to the Middle East, fuelling speculation about a possible ground invasion.
Marking 30 days since the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, Ghalibaf said Iran is fully prepared for confrontation. According to him, Iranian forces remain on high alert, with missiles positioned and resolve strengthened.
“Iranian forces are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever,” he said, adding that the country’s military operations remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to ease tensions are underway. Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey met in Islamabad to discuss de-escalation strategies. However, the absence of both US and Iranian representatives has raised concerns about the effectiveness of such talks.
Despite these moves, reports suggest the Pentagon is preparing for extended ground operations in Iran. US officials, cited by The Washington Post, indicate that military planning is intensifying as more troops arrive in the region.
Ghalibaf accused Washington of duplicity, claiming the US is publicly calling for negotiations while secretly preparing for war.
“The enemy openly sends a message of negotiation and secretly plans a ground attack,” he said, warning that the conflict could escalate into a broader global war.
A former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and ex-mayor of Tehran, Ghalibaf concluded by urging Iran to brace for a long and difficult struggle ahead.
