US talks about negotiation but plans attacks: Iran Speaker's 'no surrender' message

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has warned the United States that Tehran will not back down, declaring that the ongoing war “will not end without victory” and rejecting any possibility of surrender.

In a strong statement after more than a month of fighting, Qalibaf said Iran and its regional allies had already dealt “major blows” to the US and its partners, asserting that resistance forces across Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen were growing stronger.

He accused Washington of sending mixed signals — speaking of negotiations publicly while preparing for further military escalation behind the scenes.

“The enemy talks about negotiations but plans attacks,” he said, warning Iranians not to be misled.

His remarks come as the Pentagon is actively preparing for possible ground operations in Iran, with thousands of US Marines and soldiers already positioned across the Middle East. US officials are weighing short, high-impact missions involving Special Operations forces and conventional troops aimed at striking key military targets such as missile systems, air defences and coastal installations.

While officials insist this would not be a full-scale invasion, plans include rapid raids lasting weeks rather than months — though more aggressive options, described as a potential “final blow”, are also under discussion.

These include seizing or blockading Iran’s critical oil hub at Kharg Island, targeting strategic near the Strait of Hormuz, and even limited ground operations tied to nuclear facilities.

Qalibaf signalled that Iran is preparing for precisely such a scenario.

“Our people should not think the enemy can enter easily,” he said, adding that missile strikes would continue and claiming Iranian forces were witnessing “fear and panic” among their adversaries.

He made it clear that any US attempt to force Iran into submission would fail.

“As long as they seek Iran’s surrender, the answer is clear — we will not accept humiliation,” he said.

Framing the conflict as part of a broader global confrontation, Qalibaf said Iran would press ahead with full public mobilisation and military resistance, warning that any attack would be met with retaliation strong enough to make the US “regret” its actions.

He also stressed that the war would not end without a decisive outcome and that Iran would not allow its adversaries to walk away without consequences.

The Iranian leader praised nationwide mobilisation, saying citizens across sectors — from workers to artists — had united in support of the war effort, strengthening the country’s position.

He urged people to remain engaged, describing public presence as critical to sustaining resistance.

Meanwhile, US military planning underscores the high risks of escalation. Any ground operation would expose American troops to drones, missile strikes and entrenched resistance from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, particularly in contested zones like Kharg Island.

Despite earlier public hesitation from President Donald Trump on deploying troops, officials indicate Washington is prepared to escalate if diplomacy fails.

Iran, in turn, has warned it will respond without limits to any attack on its territory — raising fears that even limited US ground operations could trigger a wider regional conflict.