Iran has accused the United States of preparing for a ground invasion, as ‘Israeli’ bombardment intensifies and Trump deploys additional troops to the region.
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday March 29, the US was pursuing military escalation despite publicly promoting negotiations.
“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,” Ghalibaf said in a statement carried by official state news agency IRNA.
His remarks came as reports emerged that the Pentagon is preparing for potential ground operations, including raids targeting strategic sites such as Kharg Island and areas near the Strait of Hormuz. The buildup follows the arrival of thousands of US troops, including forces from the 82nd Airborne Division, in the region.
At the same time, ‘Israeli’ forces have stepped up attacks across Iran. The Iranian Ministry of Energy reported widespread power outages in Tehran and nearby areas following strikes on electricity infrastructure. Authorities later said power was being gradually restored after emergency measures were implemented.
The escalation has taken a heavy toll on civilians. Iran’s Health Ministry reports that more than 2,000 people have been killed since the war began, including hundreds of children. In one incident, six people were killed when a residential area in a village was struck, destroying multiple homes.
Educational institutions have also come under attack. A university in Isfahan was hit for the second time since the start of the war, injuring staff, while earlier strikes targeted the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran. Officials say hundreds of students and teachers have been killed and hundreds of educational facilities damaged nationwide.
Following the university strikes, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned it could retaliate by targeting US or ‘Israeli’-linked institutions in the region, signaling a further widening of potential targets.
Civilian infrastructure has also been hit beyond educational sites. A commercial building housing Al-Araby TV in Tehran was struck, with journalists reporting significant damage. “It was a real miracle we survived,” said a camera operator, noting there were no military targets in the area.
As attacks intensify, Iran has presented a five-point proposal to Washington demanding compensation, an end to hostilities, and guarantees against further escalation, while asserting its sovereignty over key waterways.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to expand regionally. Reports indicate multiple missile launches from Iran, alongside rocket fire from Hezbollah into northern ‘Israel’, triggering air raid sirens across numerous towns. An industrial facility in southern ‘Israel’ was also reportedly hit, though no casualties were confirmed.
