Iran signals readiness for ‘US ground operations’ as strategy shifts gear

Key Points:

• Iranian authorities, including IRGC leaders, have indicated a possible shift to a more offensive stance against the US following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries, with threats of "strategic surprises" and targeting US and regional infrastructure.
• Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reinforced hardline control by appointing IRGC loyalists to key positions, emphasizing a combination of maximum deterrence and readiness for powerful offensive operations against the enemy.
• Iranian officials have dismissed the MoU expiration as insignificant to ongoing conflict dynamics, stressing that decisions will be based on national interests rather than external pressure, while continuing talks with Oman about the Strait of Hormuz.
• US-Iran tensions remain high amid threats of ground incursions by Iran into US interests in the region, and Iran has bolstered defenses around critical areas such as the Strait of Hormuz and southern islands to prevent foreign troop landings.
• Iranian leaders claim victory over US and Israeli objectives in recent conflicts, though no long-term diplomatic resolution with Washington has been agreed upon, with Iran maintaining a firm stance against US military actions.