It seems that the US is all set to launch a ground operation in Iran as the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) has arrived in West Asia with 3,500 troops and fighter jets. In response to escalating speculation regarding the potential US-led ground offensive, the Islamic Republic has issued a counter-warning, stating: “Welcome. We are waiting for you.” High-ranking Iranian officials and state-linked media have suggested that the West Asian nation is prepared to combat invading forces. The Tehran Times, an English-language daily, featured a stark front-page headline on March 28, 2026, declaring “Welcome to Hell“. The daily has warned that any US troops entering Iranian territory would “leave only in coffins“.

Incidentally, the US media outlets reported on March 27, 2026 that the Trump Administration was considering sending an additional 10,000 troops to West Asia. Since the publication of those reports, speculation regarding the US ground offensive on Iranian soil has begun to intensify. On March 29, the US media reported that a warship, carrying 3,500 troops, arrived in West Asia. The Washington Post claimed that the US troops might seize control of Iran’s key oil export terminal at Kharg Island in the northern Gulf. According to the daily, US forces have commenced surveillance in the coastal area near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, too, has issued a stern warning to the US, vowing that any ground aggression or attacks on its soil would result in a “great surprise” and a devastating response, with officials describing it as a “big disaster” for US forces. In a post on X, the Iranian Embassy in India shared the front page of the Tehran Times carrying the message “Welcome to hell”, adding: “We are waiting for you.” Incidentally, two US warships had arrived in West Asia even before the military conflict began on February 28, 2026, as the Trump Administration ramped up its military presence in the region after the escalation of tensions with Iran.

At that time, the US deployed 2,500 troops. Now, the USS Tripoli, carrying 3,500 troops, has arrived in West Asia. With this, the US has started conducting a major military buildup in West Asia, characterised by the deployment of multiple aircraft carrier strike groups, amphibious assault ships and thousands of additional personnel, intensifying speculation regarding potential ground operations against Iran.

At more than 840ft long and weighing over 44,000 tonnes, the USS Tripoli is not just a ship, but essentially a floating airbase designed to launch Marine aircraft into combat zones thousands of miles from home. It is highly capable of operating multiple F-35 B Lightning II fighter jets. As an America-class amphibious assault ship, it is designed specifically as a Lightning Carrier, focussing heavily on aviation capabilities rather than traditional well deck operations. However, the USS Tripoli is not technically an aircraft carrier. Instead, the US Navy classifies the vessel as an amphibious assault ship, part of the powerful America-class amphibious assault ship programme. This classification hints at something fascinating about modern naval warfare.

According to sources close to the Pentagon, it is not yet clear whether President Trump would authorise a ground invasion in Iran. Although no definitive instruction or indication is yet to come from the President’s Office, US forces have started making all sorts of preparations. Based on reports from US Central Command (CENTCOM), over 11,000 targets in Iran have already been struck by US forces since February 28, 2026 as part of the Operation Epic Fury. The strikes have focussed mainly on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities, air defence systems, missile sites and naval infrastructure, causing significant damage.

Marco Antonio Rubio, the Secretary of State, has stated that the US has no plan to send ground troops into Iran as such a move is not needed at this moment. He has claimed that US military objectives in Iran have largely been achieved or are close to being met. Rubio also expressed hope that the war would come to an end within a week.

However, Iran has started making preparations, anticipating that the US might launch a ground assault. According to sources close to the regime in Tehran, the IRGC is fully prepared to counter possible diversionary and disruptive operations in the capital and other major cities, particularly in the south and northwest of the country. Reports suggest that the Islamic Republic has witnessed a significant surge in young volunteers joining military-related forces in recent times, with the concerned authorities reportedly lowering the minimum recruitment age for volunteers to 12. al Arabiya has claimed that the Government of Iran encourages children aged 12-13 to participate in support roles.

The Middle Eastern media outlets have reported that the younger generation of Iran has come forward to save the country from the unprovoked and unwarranted act of US-Israeli aggression.

Whistleblower Exposes Imminent Nuclear Attack Plan on Iran!
HTV Global News: In a stunning global development, a high-level diplomat has shattered his silence, leaking a classified plan detailing an imminent, massive missile strike by US and Israeli forces in major Iranian cities. Citing the need to prevent catastrophic loss of life and a potential nuclear escalation, the whistleblower has resigned, claiming that the attack is designed to seize control of oil fields and the vital Strait of Hormuz.

As tensions reach a breaking point, experts have warned that the unprecedented aggression could plunge the entire region into a total war, with devastating consequences for global markets and civilian populations.

Watch: HTV Global

Time For India to Distance Itself from Israel
Shyam Saran, the former Foreign Secretary of India, has said that it may now be time to question the price India is paying for Israel’s disregard of the serious undermining of the South Asian country’s energy security.

Watch: Statement issued by Shyam Saran

Meanwhile,

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das