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Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the United States of hypocrisy, claiming that while the US publicly advocates for negotiations, it secretly plans to launch a ground attack on Iran.
Ghalibaf’s comments were made in the wake of the arrival of the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship carrying 3,500 US Marines and sailors, in the Middle East.
The war, which has steadily evolved into a regional conflict, has severely impacted global energy markets, with Iran blocking the vital Strait of Hormuz, a shipping lane that once carried a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
Ghalibaf emphasised Iran’s determination to “secure our legitimate rights” and “make the US regret attacking Iran.”
The conflict continues to spread, with Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting industrial plants in Bahrain and the UAE. These attacks hit aluminium producers linked to the US military, injuring workers and causing significant damage.
Meanwhile, in Yemen, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching missiles at Israeli targets, raising concerns that the conflict could widen further into the Red Sea.
Israel has also intensified airstrikes in Lebanon, where Tehran-backed Hezbollah has fired rockets into Israel. The continued fighting in Lebanon has led to the tragic deaths of three journalists and numerous humanitarian workers.
In Pakistan, foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt are attempting to mediate the crisis, calling for de-escalation while trying to curb the spreading violence. However, the region’s future remains uncertain, as Iran and its allies threaten to expand the scope of the conflict
