Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stark warning, stating that any enemy forces daring to step foot on Iranian soil would face a “terrifying” fate, as reported by The Hill. He emphasized his country’s strong capability to defend itself should the United States attempt a ground incursion, making it clear that Iran is ready for any challenge.
Araghchi, speaking on “Meet the Press,” confidently declared, “For the time being we are capable enough. We have very brave soldiers, who are waiting for any enemy who enters into our soil to fight with them, and to kill them and destroy them.”
President Trump and other administration officials haven’t ruled out sending ground troops into Iran, especially as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with the Middle Eastern country enters its second week. However, the president did offer his perspective on such a move: “[It would] have to be [for] a very good reason. And I would say if we ever did that, they would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight at the ground level.”
This escalating conflict has already taken a tragic toll
So far, seven U.S. service members have died, and U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran have also killed 1,205 people, including at least 194 children, as of Saturday. Beyond the threat of ground troops, Araghchi also strongly pushed back against President Trump’s demand for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” to end the war.
The foreign minister was unequivocal, stating that Iran will “never” surrender. He also slammed the president for suggesting he should be involved in selecting Iran’s next leader, calling it a blatant interference in domestic affairs.
“We allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs,” Araghchi asserted on Sunday. “This is up to the Iranian people to elect their new leader. They have already elected the Assembly of Experts, and the Assembly of Experts will do the job. It’s only the business of the Iranian people, and nobody else’s business.” Despite this firm stance, the country’s Assembly of Experts did move forward with their selection later on Sunday.
The Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the next supreme leader of Iran. This comes after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was tragically killed on the first day of U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.
President Trump had previously commented on the younger Khamenei, telling Axios on Thursday that he would be an “unacceptable” choice as the next leader. It seems the leadership transition is proving to be another point of contention in this ongoing dispute.
Published: Mar 9, 2026 08:30 am