U.S. prepares ground operations in Iran as Tehran issues threat
Pentagon plans targeted ground incursions over weeks if Trump orders escalation. Iran's parliament chief warns American troops will face fire.
8:44 PM
The Pentagon is preparing plans for ground operations in Iran should President Donald Trump decide to escalate the conflict, according to officials. The planned operations would consist of targeted incursions over a period of weeks rather than a large-scale invasion, authorities said.
Iran has responded to the U.S. military preparations with a direct challenge. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the powerful chief of Iran's parliament, said on Saturday: "We are waiting for the arrival of American troops to give them fire." The statement represented Tehran's latest warning to the United States amid escalating tensions in the region.
Trump has set April 6 as a new deadline before striking Iranian electrical infrastructure, officials said. The commander-in-chief appears to prefer diplomatic options for now, according to reports.
Diplomatic mediation efforts are underway. Pakistan has begun hosting consultations among negotiators from Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, focused primarily on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has requested control of the strait in its response to a 15-point U.S. peace plan, according to sources. Pakistan announced it is prepared to host talks between the United States and Iran in the coming days.
The region has experienced significant military activity. Electricity was restored to Tehran after blackouts in several zones caused by recent Israeli airstrikes. An Iranian university in Isfahan was struck again by U.S.-Israeli raids. Lebanon has reported over 1,200 deaths from Israeli airstrikes since the war began.
Internet connectivity remains severely disrupted in Iran. The country has been without internet for 30 days, leaving millions of people isolated, according to reports.
U.S. military presence in the Middle East has increased. Approximately 50,000 American soldiers are now deployed in the region, representing an increase of 10,000 above normal levels, according to media reports.
The mediation efforts concluded with a statement of support for Pakistan's role as intermediary. Discussions have centered on proposals for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as part of broader peace negotiations.