Iranian Forces Ready to 'Greet' US Military if it Attacks Kharg Island

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned Iran's armed forces "to wait for the right time to welcome" US forces on Kharg Island.

"Yes, they will receive the consequences. I think there are many people in the area who are waiting for the right moment to 'welcome' them," Baghaei said at a press conference on Monday, July 20, reported by ANTARA from Sputnik.

The statement was issued after The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump was considering expanding military operations against Iran.

Citing US officials, the report said the options under consideration include deploying ground troops to invade Kharg Island.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), quoted by the Tasnim news agency, said it would immediately repel any attempt by US forces to enter Iranian territory.

Previously, the US and Iran on June 18 signed a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict that broke out since February 28.

However, since July 8, the US military has launched several waves of attacks against Iran on the grounds of responding to Tehran's actions against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran then retaliated by attacking a number of US military bases in the Middle East and accusing Washington of violating a memorandum of understanding on cessation of hostilities.