Iranian lawmaker Mohammad Saleh Jokar has made a strong statement amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, saying he hopes the ongoing conflict expands into a ground war that would see American soldiers killed in the Persian Gulf region.
Speaking to Iranian outlet Didban Iran, Jokar said the final outcome of the confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel will be determined on the battlefield rather than through diplomatic negotiations.
“I hope this war turns into a ground war so we witness the burial of American soldiers in the Persian Gulf region,” Jokar said, according to the report.
The Iranian parliamentarian also criticized Donald Trump, questioning the strength of the American military that the US president has repeatedly described as the most powerful in the world.
“America, which Trump boasted about and said we have the strongest army in the world — where is it now?” Jokar remarked.
He further claimed that Iran has not yet deployed its most advanced capabilities in the confrontation. According to Jokar, the country still possesses “new tactics and technologies” that have not yet been used in the conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Context of the 2026 Iran Conflict
The war intensified in late February 2026 after US and Israeli forces launched major operations against Iran, including strikes on missile facilities, air defenses, and leadership targets. Iran has responded with waves of ballistic missiles, drones, and attacks on US bases and assets across the Gulf, including Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait.
US naval deployments, such as the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford carrier groups, remain positioned in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf to support operations and defend allies. Reports of intelligence sharing from Russia to Iran have further complicated the battlefield dynamics.
While Iran’s official responses have focused on retaliation and deterrence, Jokar’s comments highlight internal voices pushing for escalation, potentially aiming to deter ground incursions or rally domestic support amid heavy losses from airstrikes.