Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned on Sunday that Iranian forces are prepared to retaliate if the U.S. launches a ground invasion. In a statement carried by state media, Ghalibaf said, 'The enemy signals negotiation in public, while in secret it plots a ground attack. Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever.'
The remarks follow reports that the Pentagon is preparing plans for potential ground operations in Iran, though U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet approved any deployment. The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has been developing plans for weeks of ground operations, including raids on strategic sites like Kharg Island and areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, around 3,500 U.S. Marines and sailors arrived in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, on Friday. U.S. Central Command confirmed the deployment, stating the ship is equipped with transport and strike aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets.
Iran has also claimed to have blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane, to hostile shipping. The escalation comes amid ongoing aerial bombardments of Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces, which have lasted over a month. Iran has retaliated with attacks on Gulf states, disrupting energy markets and raising concerns about global economic stability.
Diplomatic efforts are also underway, with Pakistan hosting talks on Monday involving foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt to discuss de-escalation. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has suggested a potential meeting between the U.S. and Iran soon, promoting a 15-point plan to resolve tensions.