The Latest: Iran warns US against ground invasion as regional powers meet in Pakistan

Key Points:

• Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that Iranian forces are prepared to attack American troops on the ground and punish regional partners, signaling heightened hostilities amid ongoing missile strikes between Iran and Israel.
• The conflict has escalated with Iranian-backed Houthi rebels entering the war, raising concerns about disruptions to global shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and further threatening oil and gas supply chains.
• Australia responded to soaring fuel prices caused by the war by cutting taxes on gasoline, diesel, and heavy vehicles, while several countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, engaged in diplomatic efforts to mediate peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.
• U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of seizing Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal and claimed ongoing negotiations with Iran are progressing well, although military actions and threats continue across the region.
• The war’s toll includes significant casualties and damage in Lebanon and Iran, attacks on critical infrastructure such as power and desalination plants, and increased threats to U.S. interests and personnel in the Middle East, prompting heightened security alerts and university closures.