Iran Says It Is Ready for Possible U.S. Ground Invasion as Tensions Escalate

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking during a press conference.

Tehran — Iran says it is fully prepared to confront a potential ground invasion by the United States as tensions continue to escalate between Tehran, Washington, and Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would be ready to face American troops if the United States deployed forces on Iranian soil.

Speaking to NBC News on Thursday, Araghchi warned that any direct military intervention by Washington would have serious consequences.

“We are waiting for them,” he said. “Because we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them.”

His remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week declined to rule out the possibility of sending American troops into Iran as tensions between the two countries continue to intensify. The comments signal a hardened stance from Tehran as the confrontation between Iran, the United States, and Israel deepens. Araghchi also rejected claims by Trump that Iranian leaders had sought talks with Washington.

According to the Iranian foreign minister, Tehran has neither requested a ceasefire nor expressed interest in negotiations with the United States. His position echoes comments made earlier by Iranian political figure Ali Larijani, who said Iran would not engage in negotiations with Washington under the current circumstances.

“We didn't ask for a cease-fire even last time,” Araghchi said, referring to last year’s brief conflict between Israel and Iran. According to him, Israel eventually sought an unconditional ceasefire after facing sustained resistance from Iranian forces.

The latest escalation also comes as nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States remain stalled. Diplomatic talks that resumed earlier this year were aimed at restoring dialogue after last year’s hostilities, which included strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

However, Araghchi said Tehran had lost confidence in Washington’s willingness to pursue diplomacy in good faith.

“The fact is that we don't have any positive experience of negotiating with the United States, especially with this administration,” he said.

According to Araghchi, previous negotiations collapsed after military actions took place during the diplomatic process.

“We negotiated twice last year and this year, and then in the middle of negotiations they attacked us,” he said. “So we see no reason why we should engage once again with those who are not honest in negotiations and who do not enter talks in good faith.”

Analysts say the increasingly confrontational rhetoric on both sides raises the risk of further escalation in an already volatile regional conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

For now, diplomatic channels appear limited, while military posturing from all sides continues to intensify.

Iran US ground invasion tensions