Iran warns of “warm welcome” for US troops in event of ground operation

Residents of Iran’s islands are ready to give US troops a "warm welcome" if Washington launches a ground operation against them, Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, has said.

Responding to reported US threats regarding the possible seizure of Khark Island, Baghaei made it clear that there are many people there who are “waiting” for them, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"I think there are many people there who are waiting to give them a 'warm welcome'," he noted.

Baghaei, meanwhile, confirmed that, despite the continued escalation in hostilities, diplomatic communication with the United States also remains ongoing through intermediaries.

He stressed that Tehran had recently received messages from Washington via mediators.

“We have been informed by mediators. We have received messages, without going into details, but the main point is that the diplomatic apparatus has been active in recent days and ideas have been conveyed to us by certain mediators,” Baghaei added.

He argued that the United States bears responsibility for the latest escalation in the conflict.

“We have repeatedly emphasised that we have no hostility towards the countries of the region, but we expect them to do their duty and not allow attacks on Iran from their territory,” he stated.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov