US-Iran War: Iran's English-language daily, Tehran Times, on Friday issued a stark warning to the United States under the headline 'Welcome To Hell'. The paper states that any US troops who set foot on Iranian soil will 'leave only in a coffin'. The warning comes a day after the US media reported that the United States is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East.
US Preparing For A Potential Ground Invasion?
The development has fueled speculation that Washington is preparing for a possible ground operation inside Iran. Such a deployment, if confirmed, would mark a significant increase in the US military footprint in the Middle East, even as President Donald Trump continues to assert that Tehran is engaged in peace talks with Washington aimed at ending the conflict.
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According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the additional troops are meant to provide the US President a broader range of military options in a Middle East that has been involved in the conflict since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 29. The additional troops would join thousands of paratroopers and Marines already deployed in the region.
Meanwhile, an Iranian official said that Tehran would respond to any US ground invasion by mobilising its Houthi allies in Yemen. The Houthis, the official warned, could resume attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, opening what he described as a new front in the conflict.
Trump Rules Out Ground Invasion
According to a NDTV report, Trump has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of committing US ground troops to combat operations against Iran. However, it remains unclear where the additional American forces would be based.
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According to The Wall Street Journal, the troops would most likely be positioned within striking distance of Iran, as well as near Kharg Island, the critical oil-export terminal located just off the Iranian coast.