Sanaa: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared its readiness to "immediately repel" any US ground incursion into Iranian territory. Speaking at a ceremony honoring air defense forces in Shahroud, Brig. Gen. Rouhollah Nouri, deputy commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, emphasized the preparedness of Iran's defense units.

According to Anadolu Agency, Brig. Gen. Nouri stated that the defense units are at their highest level of readiness to counter any potential US ground assault. "The IRGC Ground Forces, particularly the defense units, are at the highest level of readiness and will neutralize any hostile act or enemy infiltration at the very first moment," he said, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The statement from the IRGC comes amid ongoing US airstrikes against Iranian targets, primarily in southern Iran. In response, Tehran has launched strikes targeting facilities and bases it claims are used by the US military in several regional countries. Early reports on Monday indicated explosions in several Iranian provinces, marking the first reported strike on the northwestern city of Tabriz since the escalation began last week.

The exchange of fire between the US and Iran continues despite a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding signed in June, which aimed to end hostilities and establish a lasting peace agreement between the two nations.