- According to Larijani, any ground invasion would meet strong resistance
- The remark references Iran’s former leaders, Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei, the latter having been killed
- Iranian officials have also accused the US of undermining diplomacy
Top Iranian official Ali Larijani has warned that Iran is ready to respond decisively to any potential US military incursion, vowing to capture or eliminate American forces if they enter Iranian territory.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Larijani, who serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, made the statement on Thursday amid ongoing tensions in the region, after US leaders, including Donald Trump, refused to rule out sending troops into Iran.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Nigeria Awaits FIFA Verdict On DR Congo Player Eligibility Dispute
- Trump Says Diplomacy Is “Much Easier” Now After Decapitating Strikes on Iran
- Senate Targets 2026 for State Police Amendment
According to Larijani, any ground invasion would meet strong resistance. “Some American officials have stated they plan to deploy thousands of troops into Iran,” he said.
“The valiant sons of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei are waiting, ready to disgrace those corrupt officials by killing and capturing thousands.”
The remark references Iran’s former leaders, Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei, the latter having been killed in a recent US-Israeli strike.
Larijani, long considered one of the country’s most influential figures and a close advisor to the slain leader, emphasized that Tehran would not back down.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced the warning, telling NBC News that the country is prepared for a potential US ground offensive and that such an operation would be disastrous for American troops.
The escalation comes as Israel and the United States have conducted thousands of airstrikes on Iranian targets since the conflict began last Saturday, with Iran retaliating through missile and drone attacks across the Middle East.
Despite the bombardment, Tehran has maintained a defiant stance. Larijani stressed that Iran will not engage in negotiations with the US and vowed to continue its military response in honor of Khamenei.
In the wake of the former leader’s death, speculation has grown about Washington’s intentions. Trump has suggested he hopes to influence Iran’s leadership succession, comparing it to US actions in Venezuela, where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was ousted and replaced with a US-aligned vice president, Delcy Rodriguez.
Trump described the Venezuelan operation as a “perfect scenario” and expressed interest in being involved in choosing Khamenei’s successor, while rejecting the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain leader, taking power.
Iranian officials have also accused the US of undermining diplomacy. Araghchi criticized Trump’s administration for ending talks that could have reduced tensions, claiming the US prioritizes Israeli interests over American ones.
“The truth: Chance for a unique deal burned after the ‘America Last’ cabal obscured ‘significant progress’ we made in negotiations. ‘Israel First’ always means ‘America Last,’” he said on X.
The selection of Iran’s next supreme leader will be made by the Council of Experts, a body of religious scholars, with no indication that the process will involve the United States.
FURTHER READING
