‘Eagerly Awaiting’: IRGC Warns It Is Ready For US Ground Invasion

Last Updated:March 20, 2026, 19:37 IST

Iran’s IRGC warns it is "eagerly awaiting" US Marines in the Middle East. Foreign Minister Aragchi echoes readiness. Speculation of war grows, but Trump downplays it.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning to the United States, saying it is “eagerly awaiting" the arrival of American Marines in the Middle East, amid rising speculation of a possible US ground deployment.

In a statement, the IRGC said, “The soldiers of Islam are eagerly awaiting the American marines," adding that its forces are fully prepared to respond with force. The warning comes as reports suggest around 4,500 US sailors and Marines are being dispatched to the region.

The IRGC further warned that any US military move would be met with strong retaliation, including maritime strikes. “They are fully prepared to deliver a hard slap to the American warship deep in the theatre of war and to bring maritime surprises up close for the American marines to witness," the statement said.

‘We Are Waiting for Them’: Aragchi’s Warning

Echoing the military’s tone, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said in an interview with NBC News, “We are waiting for them," when asked about the possibility of US troops entering the conflict.

The remark signals Tehran’s readiness for a direct confrontation if the war escalates beyond air and missile strikes.

Ground War Speculation Grows

Talk of a potential ground offensive has gained traction in recent days as the conflict intensifies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that troop deployments could be considered, though he stopped short of confirming any concrete plans.

“There are many possibilities for this ground component," Netanyahu said, keeping options open while signalling that the conflict may not remain limited to air and missile strikes.

However, most military a full-scale invasion on the scale of Iraq in 2003 or Kuwait in 1990 is unlikely due to the enormous logistical and political costs involved. Instead, a more limited ground operations are possible, including special forces raids targeting nuclear facilities or high-ranking Iranian officials’ missions that cannot be executed through airpower alone.

Trump: No Ground Troops

Contrary to the Israeli Prime Minister, US President Donald Trump has sought to downplay the likelihood of a ground war, saying there would be “no boots on the ground" in Iran, despite his threats of taking over Kharg Island, an important oil storage site that facilitates 90 per cent of Iranian energy exports.

News world ‘Eagerly Awaiting’: IRGC Warns It Is Ready For US Ground Invasion

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