Iran warns of ground attack while courting talks as Middle East war widens

Iran claims the US is secretly planning a ground invasion while publicly seeking negotiations, as the wider conflict involving Israel, Yemen’s Houthis, and Hezbollah escalates; reports of Pentagon contingency plans for ground troops and ongoing mediation efforts in Pakistan raise the risk of broader war and potential disruption to key energy routes through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab straits.