Ghalibaf: US-Iran Conflict "Major World War"

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said Sunday that the country is engaged in what he described as a “major world war,” accusing the United States of signaling openness to negotiations while preparing for possible military escalation.

In remarks reported by Iranian state media, Ghalibaf said Washington is publicly discussing diplomacy while “secretly planning a ground attack,” adding that Iranian forces are prepared for such a scenario.

“Our enemy speaks publicly of negotiations while secretly planning a ground attack,” he said. “We are in a major world war and must prepare ourselves for a long, difficult, and complex path.”

Ghalibaf also emphasized that Iran’s missile campaign would continue, saying the country’s military pressure would not ease. “Our launches continue, our missiles will not stop, and our determination has only grown stronger,” he said.

His comments come amid growing indications that he is playing a central role in Iran’s current leadership structure. Ghalibaf, a hardline figure with longstanding ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is widely believed to be among a small group consolidating power following the upheaval within Iran’s leadership during the war.

He is also believed to be a key figure involved, directly or indirectly, in contacts with Washington, as the United States pursues a framework for ending the conflict.

In his remarks, Ghalibaf pointed to Iran’s regional allies as integral to its strategy. He described Hezbollah in Lebanon as “an important and effective part of the resistance,” praised allied militias in Iraq, and said Yemen’s Houthis had “breathed new life” into the campaign.

He added that Iran would not end the war without demonstrating its strength, warning that Tehran intends to leave a lasting deterrent message.

“We will not allow our enemies to leave without demonstrating our power and turning this war into a lesson for any aggressor,” he said.

The statements highlight the continued gap between public rhetoric from Tehran and Washington, as both sides signal openness to talks while preparing for the possibility of further escalation.