According to Nigerian Tribune, Iran’s top legislative official, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, has accused the United States of preparing for a military ground offensive while publicly presenting a willingness to engage in diplomacy, escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking on Sunday, Qalibaf claimed that Washington is sending mixed messages, combining rhetoric about negotiations with alleged covert military preparations. “The enemy publicly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue while secretly planning a ground attack,” he stated, as reported by the official IRNA news agency.
Qalibaf warned that Iran is fully prepared to retaliate against any potential aggression. “Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional allies once and for all,” he said, describing the situation as reaching the “most critical” stage of what he called a major global war. He also expressed confidence in Iran’s ability to defend its interests and punish any aggression. “We are certain that we can punish the United States, make it regret attacking Iran, and firmly secure our legitimate rights,” Qalibaf added.
The accusations come amid reports in the United States that the Pentagon has been exploring the possibility of a ground offensive. According to the Washington Post, planning for such an operation has been ongoing “for weeks,” though no definitive orders have been issued.
Despite the speculation, uncertainty remains over whether US President Donald Trump would authorize deployment of American troops abroad, given his previous reluctance to engage in foreign conflicts. Senior officials in Washington have repeatedly dismissed the likelihood of ground operations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington could achieve its objectives through aerial strikes without the need for “boots on the ground,” underlining the US preference for limited military engagement.
Analysts note that the conflicting signals from both sides increase the risk of miscalculation in an already volatile region. Iran’s strong rhetoric reflects a combination of nationalistic posturing and strategic deterrence, aimed at consolidating internal unity while signaling to the United States and regional actors that any attack would be met with a forceful response.
The development adds further complexity to ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing hostilities in the Middle East. Observers say the situation remains fluid, with potential global implications should tensions escalate into direct military confrontation.
As both nations maintain a high alert posture, the world watches closely, weighing whether diplomacy can still prevent an escalation or if the rhetoric will translate into conflict on the ground. Read_More…