Iran Speaker Warns U.S. Troops Will Be “Set on Fire” as Pakistan Pushes Talks
Pakistan says it is preparing to host talks between the United States and Iran as the war escalates, but Iran is warning any U.S. ground deployment would trigger direct retaliation.
The tension is sharpening as both diplomacy and military planning appear to be advancing at the same time, raising questions about whether negotiations are genuine or strategic.
According to the Associated Press and The Guardian, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said U.S. troops would be “set on fire” if they enter Iran, while accusing Washington of signaling talks publicly while preparing a ground assault.
At the same time, Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator, announcing plans to host negotiations, though confirmation from both Washington and Tehran remains limited and inconsistent.
“Our missiles are in place,” Ghalibaf said, warning of immediate retaliation against U.S. forces.
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The developments come as the conflict enters its second month with more than 3,000 reported deaths and widening regional impact, including disruptions to global oil routes and increased military activity across the Gulf, according to AP News.
U.S. officials have indicated progress toward a potential agreement, with President Donald Trump suggesting talks are advancing, but Iran has rejected key elements of proposed frameworks and questioned the legitimacy of negotiations.
Meanwhile, reports of U.S. troop deployments and planning for limited ground operations are intensifying fears that the conflict could expand beyond air and proxy warfare.
What happens next likely depends on whether Pakistan’s proposed talks materialize and whether either side shifts from warning to action.
The window for de-escalation appears to be narrowing.
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