Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed ongoing diplomatic talks in Pakistan as a cover for U.S. military intentions on Monday, warning that Iranian forces stand ready to confront American troops if they set foot on the ground.

“Iranian forces are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever,” Qalibaf said, according to Iranian state media. His remarks came as reports confirmed the arrival of approximately 2,500 U.S. Marines in the Middle East, a force trained in amphibious operations that Tehran views as preparation for a ground intervention rather than a defensive deployment.

Qalibaf said the regional diplomatic meetings taking place in Islamabad serve as a façade for escalation rather than a genuine push toward peace. Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan met in Islamabad on Sunday and committed to pursuing de-escalation in the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Pakistan said it stands ready to host direct talks between the parties to bring an end to the fighting.

Tehran’s rejection of the process signals that Iran does not view the diplomatic track as credible while U.S. troop numbers in the region exceed 50,000 and strikes on Iranian territory continue. The U.S. has extended a pause on strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6, 2026, citing ongoing back-channel negotiations, but Iran continues to deny that direct talks with Washington take place.

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