Iran Claims U.S. Invasion Plans as Strikes Escalate

Iranian officials have claimed the U.S. is planning a ground invasion, while the two nations exchange strikes across the region. Seyed Mohammad Marandi, an Iranian-American academic and advisor to Iran's nuclear negotiation team, stated in an interview that Tehran has spent decades preparing for and welcoming a U.S. invasion. He also boasted that Iran had launched a "new missile" and decentralized its arsenal underground to withstand American air campaigns. "The Americans are planning an invasion. I'm not saying it will necessarily happen. I'm not saying it will necessarily happen in the next few days. But they have plans for an invasion," Marandi said. The comments came as Iran launched missile and drone attacks on U.S.-linked facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, with Jordan intercepting 10 missiles and Kuwait reporting casualties and damage to infrastructure. In response, the U.S. conducted airstrikes on Iranian targets, including bridges, tunnels, and underground weapons storage. Multiple explosions also rocked Khorramabad in Iran's Lorestan province, with Iranian state media blaming U.S. missiles. Glenn Diesen, a political analyst, noted that Iranian strikes focused on Bahrain and Kuwait due to the presence of American assets there, suggesting preparation for a potential ground invasion.