Iran army chief: ‘No enemy troops should survive’ US ground invasion
Tehran’s top military commander has warned that any American ground invasion will be met with total annihilation. The threat comes as the Pentagon reportedly prepares potential ground operations inside Iran, a development that Türkiye views as a dangerous escalation.
Iran’s army chief issued a stark warning Thursday, declaring that “no enemy troops should survive” if the United States attempts a ground assault on Iranian soil. Speaking through state broadcaster IRIB, General Amir Hatami ordered military units to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of US forces and prepare immediate retaliatory plans. “In the event the enemy attempts a ground operation, no one should survive,” he said, adding that security must prevail across the country and that it is unacceptable for some places to remain safe while Iranians face danger.
Pentagon reportedly planning ground operations
The warning follows a Washington Post report citing officials that the Pentagon is actively preparing potential ground missions inside Iran as thousands of additional US troops deploy to the Middle East. According to the report, any final decision rests with President Donald Trump. Officials described the plans as potentially opening “a new phase of the war” that could prove “significantly more dangerous” for American forces than the first month of air and missile strikes. Targets under discussion include Kharg Island—a vital Iranian oil export hub—and coastal raids near the Strait of Hormuz aimed at protecting shipping lanes.
Casualties and regional fallout
Since the US-Israeli air offensive against Iran began on February 28, more than 1,340 people have been killed, including Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Thirteen American service members have died, and over 300 have been wounded across the region. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting US military assets, causing infrastructure damage and disrupting global markets and aviation. Türkiye continues to call for restraint, warning that a ground invasion would shatter regional stability and endanger neighbouring countries.
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.