'America Stepped Into a Quagmire': Iran Warns US Against Military Threats
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warns the US it has stepped into a quagmire and rejects threats of military action.
In a scathing critique of Washington's foreign policy, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that the United States has trapped itself in a crisis of its own making. Speaking during a parliamentary session in Tehran, Ghalibaf asserted that the US "stepped into a quagmire" due to strategic miscalculations and its decision to wage war against Iran.
Onus on Washington to Resolve Crisis
Ghalibaf made it clear that the responsibility for ending the current confrontation lies solely with the United States. He emphasized that Tehran has nothing new to offer in terms of dialogue, as the current instability is a direct result of American actions.
"It was America that, through miscalculations and waging war against Iran, stepped into a quagmire, and it is now they who must take the necessary measures to rescue themselves," Ghalibaf stated.
A 'Strong Fortress' Against Intimidation
The Iranian leader vehemently rejected the idea that military threats or media pressure could force the nation into submission. He drew a sharp contrast between the current administration and the former Pahlavi era, which he described as "humiliating."
According to Ghalibaf, the US is operating under a delusion that a few "levers of media pressure" can break the Iranian spirit. He described modern Iran as a "strong fortress of self-confidence, defensive capability, and iron will" that will not allow any foreign power to dictate terms to the country.
Warning Against Escalation
Addressing the rising regional tensions, Ghalibaf warned that Iran is fully prepared to protect its sovereignty. He asserted that any violation of Iran's territorial integrity would be met with a response "beyond their imagination."
He further clarified that threats of assassination or the prospect of a widespread war would not compel the Iranian people to compromise on their rights or national interests.
Demanding Concrete Policy Shifts
The Speaker dismissed diplomatic gestures from Washington as meaningless unless they are accompanied by a fundamental shift in behavior. He stated that until the US abandons its "bullying nature and greed" and makes "tangible, concrete, and real amends" for violated commitments, no American claims will hold credibility for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Trump's Counter-Claims and Potential Attacks
These warnings follow comments from US President Donald Trump, who hinted at the possibility of an imminent attack on Iran. Speaking to reporters in Florida after casting his ballot in the midterm elections, Trump remained cryptic when asked about military action.
"Do you really think I'd tell you that? Maybe tomorrow... There's a possibility I will," Trump remarked, though he also mentioned the possibility of a "nice, big, beautiful agreement," questioning whether Iran would uphold such a deal.
President Trump praised the performance of the US Navy and military in West Asia, claiming they had "knocked out every jet fighter of Iran" and that "259 ships are at the bottom of the sea," adding that Iran is now left only with record inflation.
Regional Security and the Strait of Hormuz
Adding to the tension, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran's policies would remain unchanged regardless of whether another war erupts. He described further military action against Tehran as "irrational."
Araghchi also highlighted a permanent shift in regional security, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its previous state following the 40-day war, indicating that the conflict has fundamentally altered the security landscape of the region.