‘Our men are waiting’ - Iranian parliament speaker Ghalibaf threatens US forces and regional allies

Iran continues to threaten the United States as Tehran anticipates a U.S. ground attack on Iranian territory. 

On Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, one of the most senior figures in the Islamic Republic, who was identified by U.S. President Donald Trump as a potential leader of the Islamic Republic after the war, threatened that Iran's armed forces are “waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers.” 

“The enemy openly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue while secretly planning a ground attack,” Ghalibaf wrote to his 𝕏 account, Sunday. 

In another post, Ghalibaf called for unity among Iranians, saying the country is in the midst of a "great world war" that is "at its most critical stage.”  

“We will not emerge from this war except through victory,” he added. 

“We are confident that we can punish the United States, make it regret attacking Iran, and ensure our legitimate rights," he said.

The parliament speaker warned, “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.” 

Israel is reported to have temporarily removed Ghalibaf from its target list after the administration of Donald Trump identified him as one of the people with whom they are attempting to negotiate. Despite this, rumors were shared across social media over the weekend, claiming that Ghalibaf had been assassinated in an Israeli strike. As of now, he still appears to be on a protected list, despite his public threats against the U.S. 

Ghalibaf’s comments come as the US military is reportedly preparing a variety of plans for ground operations in Iran. The Washington Post reported over the weekend that the Pentagon is preparing for the possibility of a ground operation in Iran that will last weeks or even months, while U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday that the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli has arrived in the region. 

U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 27. The America-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group / 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about… pic.twitter.com/JFWiPBbkd2

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 28, 2026

According to a report in the New York Post, the number of U.S. troops arriving in the region will not be sufficient for a full-scale invasion of Iran. The Post report said the deployment could increase risk to U.S. military personnel from Iranian weapons. 

According to the Washington Post report, the Pentagon planning is not necessarily a large-scale ground invasion, but rather more focused operations, such as raids by special forces alongside regular infantry units. Such an operation is still expected to expose U.S. forces to a variety of threats, including Iranian drones and missiles, ground fire, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). 

The Post noted that it is not clear whether President Trump will approve the plans. Last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, after stating that President Trump is “prepared to unleash hell” on Iran, clarified that: “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the President has made a decision.” 

The Post report came after a report from Axios last week, which indicated that the Pentagon is preparing a “final blow” against Iran that could include both ground forces and a massive bombing campaign. 

At the same time, reports have indicated that the U.S. could be considering seizing Kharg Island, or other islands in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, rather than attempting to invade the Iranian mainland. 

Alongside the reinforcements coming from the arrival of the Marines and sailors with the USS Tripoli (about 5,00) another roughly 2,000 members of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division also expected to be deployed to the region. The 82nd Airborne Division, a rapid response unit, is often on high alert due to its ability to quickly deploy to global hotspots, making it a key asset in emerging conflicts.