Iran’s armed forces are prepared for a potential U.S. ground invasion and are ready to respond forcefully, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
Ghalibaf accused the United States of publicly calling for negotiations while allegedly planning military action behind the scenes, according to Iranian state media.
The remarks come amid reports, including from The Washington Post, that Pentagon officials are considering possible ground operations in Iran that could last for weeks.
Meanwhile, the United States Central Command confirmed that thousands of U.S. Marines have arrived in the region aboard the USS Tripoli, part of an amphibious ready group carrying around 3,500 personnel along with aircraft and tactical assets.
Despite the military buildup, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that Washington could achieve its objectives without launching a ground invasion.
At the same time, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for a second attack on Israel within 24 hours, vowing to continue its military operations in the coming days.
