Iran FM warns potential US ground invasion would be ‘big disaster for them’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sent a resolute message of strength and determination to the United States and Israel amid relentless aggression from the enemies of the Islamic Republic.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with NBC News from Tehran on Thursday, Araghchi firmly rejected any notion of fear regarding a potential US ground invasion, emphasizing Iran’s readiness and confidence in defending its sovereignty.

“No, we are waiting for them,” he said when asked if he was afraid of a possible US ground invasion. “Because we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them,” he added.

Araghchi underscored that Iran’s armed forces have prepared for every scenario, positioning the nation to turn any such offensive into a catastrophic setback for the aggressors.

The comments come amid a widening war against Iran that began with sweeping US and Israeli aggression on Saturday. Araghchi noted that Iran has not sought a ceasefire and remains committed to resisting illegal aggression.

Reflecting on past confrontations, Araghchi pointed to the 12-day war in June, when Israel and the US targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities. “We didn’t ask for a ceasefire even last time,” he said.

“In the previous time, it was Israel who asked for a ceasefire… after 12 days that we resisted against their aggression.”

Araghchi also addressed a US-Israeli terrorist strike on a primary school in Minab in southern Iran, where 171 children were killed.

He attributed full responsibility to the US and Israeli militaries. “This is what our military said. So it is either the US or Israel. What is the difference?” he questioned, condemning the attack as a grave violation against civilians.

The foreign minister expressed deep disillusionment with negotiations, citing repeated betrayals by the current US administration.

Just last Thursday, Araghchi had been engaged in talks in Geneva with President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The sudden onset of attacks during those discussions has eroded any trust.

“The fact is that we don’t have any positive experience of negotiating with the United States… especially with this administration,” Araghchi said.

“We negotiated twice last year and this year, and then in the middle of negotiations, they attacked us.”

He added that there is no reason to engage again with parties that negotiate in bad faith.

On the broader outlook, Araghchi’s principled view is, “There is no winner in this war. Our win is to be able to resist against… the illegal goals, and this is what we have done so far.”

Regarding succession following the Supreme Leader’s martyrdom, Araghchi rejected external interference, including reports of US involvement. “That is absolutely the business of the Iranian people, and nobody can interfere,” he said.

He confirmed that Iran’s constitutional process through the Assembly of Experts will determine the next Supreme Leader, though the ongoing war may extend the timeline.
The US and the regime in Tel Aviv launched an unprovoked and illegal aggression on Iran on Saturday, targeting the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and some top-ranking military commanders.

In response, Iranian armed forces have carried out multiple waves of retaliatory operations using advanced missiles and drones.

US military bases across the West Asian region, as well as Israeli military bases in the occupied territories, have been pounded, incurring damage to the tune of billions of dollars, according to US media reports.