Iran: Armed Forces Ready to 'Welcome' US if It Invades Kharg Island

Tehran - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei has warned that the country’s armed forces are “waiting for the right moment to welcome” United States troops on Kharg Island. “Yes, they will face the consequences. I think there are many people in that area who are waiting for the right moment to ‘welcome’ them,” Baghaei said during a press conference on Monday. The statement was issued after The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump is considering expanding military operations against Iran. Citing US officials, the report mentioned that options under consideration include deploying ground troops to invade Kharg Island. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as quoted by the Tasnim news agency, stated it would immediately repel any attempt by US forces to enter Iranian territory. Previously, the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on 18 June to end the conflict that erupted on 28 February. However, since 8 July, the US military has launched several waves of attacks against Iran, citing a response to Tehran’s actions against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by attacking a number of US military bases in the Middle East and accused Washington of violating the ceasefire memorandum.