Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned on Sunday that Iran is ready for a direct ground confrontation with the United States. He accused US President Donald Trump of using diplomacy as a cover for a possible invasion.

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Ghalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard commander, cautioned Washington against sending ground troops into Iran.

Iran Accuses US of “Double Game”

Speaking in parliament in Tehran, Ghalibaf alleged that the US is sending mixed signals.

“The enemy is openly sending a message of negotiation and secretly planning a ground attack,” he said. “Our men are waiting for the arrival of American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire,” he added.

He directly rejected Trump’s recent claims about ongoing indirect talks. Trump had described the discussions as “very good and productive” and mentioned a possible five-day pause in strikes to reach a “total resolution.”

However, Ghalibaf dismissed these remarks as “psychological warfare.” He said the US is trying to influence global oil markets while preparing for military action.

US Military Build-Up Raises Concerns

Meanwhile, Iran’s concerns have grown due to recent US military movements. Over the weekend, the USS Tripoli arrived in West Asia with around 3,500 Marines and sailors. The deployment also included strike fighter aircraft.

Reports suggest that the Pentagon is preparing for “limited ground operations” targeting Iranian coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz.

Region Moves Closer to Wider War

The situation has become more serious since the conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. These attacks led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Since then, the conflict has expanded into a wider regional war. Groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen have also become involved.

Iran Signals Strong Resistance

Despite ongoing attacks, Ghalibaf said Iran remains firm. He warned that any ground invasion would face strong resistance, possibly greater than what US forces experienced in past conflicts in the region.

Diplomatic Efforts Continue

At the same time, regional powers are trying to prevent further escalation. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt are holding talks in Islamabad as part of a Quadrilateral Summit.

These discussions aim to stop the conflict from turning into a full-scale regional war.