Iran has issued a fresh warning against any possible US ground intervention, while diplomatic communication between Tehran and Washington continues through intermediaries.
The commander of Iran’s army ground forces, Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, warned that any foreign military intrusion would face a strong response.
“If any US military personnel set foot in Iran, we will cut them off,” Jahanshahi said, according to Iranian state media.
He said Iranian ground forces remain on high alert and are closely monitoring movements along the country’s borders.
Iran Says Forces Remain Combat Ready
Jahanshahi said Iran would respond firmly to any hostile action and maintained that the army’s ground forces were prepared to defend the country against potential threats.
The warning comes amid continuing tensions between Iran and the United States and uncertainty over efforts to ease the wider regional conflict.
Iran-US Communication Remains Indirect
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is currently not holding direct negotiations with Washington.
“We are not currently negotiating with the United States; the exchange of messages takes place through intermediaries,” Araghchi said, according to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB.
He added that several countries were attempting to create conditions for renewed negotiations, but Tehran had placed conditions on any return to direct discussions.
Araghchi said Iran expects the United States to address what Tehran describes as violations of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding before negotiations can resume.
Iran And Oman Discuss Strait Of Hormuz
Araghchi also said discussions with Oman over a new legal and operational framework for traffic through the Strait of Hormuz were close to reaching an agreement.
According to the Iranian foreign minister, negotiations include determining revised shipping routes and management arrangements for the strategically important waterway.
However, he said reopening the Strait would depend on additional conditions, including Tehran’s demand for compensation over alleged US violations of earlier commitments.
Iran also wants changes to the previously used Traffic Separation Scheme through the Strait, with Araghchi saying a new route would involve significant legal and technical work.
US Official Reports Progress In Oman Talks
A US official quoted by Reuters earlier said progress had been made in discussions involving Iran and Oman over restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The official said Washington expected an agreement that could allow commercial vessels to resume movement without obstruction.
According to the Reuters report, the United States could subsequently lift restrictions on Iranian ports if an agreement restoring commercial shipping is formally announced.
The latest developments show that while military rhetoric between Tehran and Washington remains tense, diplomatic efforts through intermediaries are continuing.
