Iran has issued one of its strongest warnings yet to Washington, with senior military and diplomatic officials declaring that any US ground intervention would trigger an immediate and severe response. The statement comes amid escalating tensions linked to the West Asia conflict, ongoing US–Israeli military operations, and persistent rumours surrounding the health of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, commander of Iran’s army ground forces, said on Sunday that Tehran’s forces are at full combat readiness, continuously monitoring border movements and preparing for rapid retaliation. He warned that if US troops “set foot in Iran, we will cut them off,” describing the army’s posture as firm, deterrent, and fully mobilised along national frontiers.
Parallel to the military messaging, Iran’s diplomatic leadership confirmed that direct talks with Washington remain suspended. Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said communication continues only through intermediaries, stressing that Iran will not return to face‑to‑face negotiations until the US addresses what Tehran calls past breaches of bilateral agreements. Several countries are reportedly attempting to create conditions for renewed dialogue, but Iran insists Washington must first rebuild trust.
Despite the freeze in direct diplomacy, indirect messaging has intensified as both sides navigate the conflict’s shifting trajectory. Iranian officials say discussions also involve efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint whose closure has disrupted global shipping and energy flows. According to Iranian sources, negotiations on the new route are near completion, though Tehran maintains that regional and extra‑regional actors must adopt a “constructive approach.”
The combination of military warnings, indirect diplomacy, and strategic negotiations underscores the high‑stakes environment shaping Iran–US relations.