Iran Prepares for US Invasion With Orders for Counterattack
Iranian authorities have issued a directive outlining preparations for a possible US ground assault, according to a report citing a source familiar with the matter, as concerns grow in Tehran over a potential escalation of the war.
Iranian authorities have issued a directive outlining preparations for a possible US ground assault, according to a report citing a source familiar with the matter, as concerns grow in Tehran over a potential escalation of the war.
The directive, circulated among military and security bodies under Iran’s General Staff, instructs units to increase readiness, secure sensitive sites, and prepare for both external attacks and internal unrest. It also allows certain units to act independently if communications with central command are disrupted, reflecting fears that command structures could be targeted in future strikes.
According to the report, the measures focus on major urban centers and strategically sensitive regions, including southern and northwestern Iran. Officials are also preparing for what they describe as the possible “intervention of hostile elements” across different parts of the country.
The directive suggests Iranian leadership is bracing not only for conventional military escalation but also for internal instability. Authorities reportedly view armed groups in areas such as Iranian Kurdistan and the southeast as a significant concern, alongside broader fears of unrest in major cities.
Recent US military movements in the region, including the deployment of additional forces and repeated references by American officials to possible ground operations, have heightened these concerns. Iranian officials have warned against any such move, particularly involving strategic areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts say a full-scale invasion of Iran remains unlikely in the near term, but limited ground operations, such as special forces missions or attempts to control key islands or coastal positions, are seen as more plausible. Such actions would still carry significant risks and could deepen the conflict.
Separately, Iranian-linked reporting suggested that in the event of a US ground operation, Tehran could respond by attempting to seize coastlines in neighboring Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. That claim has not been independently verified.
The directive comes as the war enters its second month, with ongoing airstrikes, regional attacks, and mounting uncertainty over whether the conflict could expand into a broader ground confrontation.