Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi has said that Iranian soldiers are currently waiting for US ground troops to invade Iran, saying, the Iranians are prepared for any scenario, according to Araghchi, Iran is confident that its soldiers can confront US ground troops and if the United States actually decided to begin ground troops invasion in Iran, it will be a disaster for the US because “we know we can handle them”, adding, Russia and China are supporting Iran in the ongoing war with the US and Israel politically and otherwise, and shortly after the Iran Foreign Minister made this known in an exclusive interview with NBC news media on Thursday, the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth visited the US Central Command, CeNTCOM headquarters at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa area of Florida apparently for a high level briefing and next plan of action discussed with the CeNTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, this, local media in Iran reported on Friday morning that the spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, IRGC, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naieni says the Iranian armed forces are ready for a long war to punish the aggressor.

The war which began last week Saturday, has led to the deaths of over 1,300 people in Iran, 12 in Israel and 6 US Soldiers. According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society on March 6, 2026, over 1,332 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the war on February 28, 2026.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights in an earlier report in the conflict on March 2, the Norway-based NGO stated that at least 1,500 deaths, specifically identifying 1,300 Iranian military members and 200 civilians among the fallen.

While the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UnICEF confirmed that, of the more than 1,300 total fatalities, at least 181 are children. This includes approximately 175 children killed in a single strike at a girls’ primary school in the Minab area of Iran. Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, the official Iranian government agency reported a death toll of at least 1,230 as of March 5.

On the side of Israel, Magen David Adom, MDA, Israel’s national emergency medical service, confirmed 9 fatalities specifically from a direct ballistic missile hit on a public shelter in Beit Shemesh on March 1. The Israeli Police in an official police report identified 9 killed in Beit Shemesh and have noted that 11 people remain missing as search-and-rescue operations continued. Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv confirmed the death of a 102-year-old man who died from a fall while attempting to reach a shelter during a siren. Although 10 deaths were confirmed by the Israeli authorities as stated above, but, some local and international media put the total deaths in Israel at 12.

According to the US Department of War and CeNTCOM, six American service members have been killed so far with 18 other soldiers wounded. Those killed included Sergeant Declan J Coady, aged 20,  Captain Cody A Khork, aged 35, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole M Amor, aged 39, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens, aged 42, Major Jeffrey O’Brien, aged 45 and Chief Warrant Officer 3, CW3 Robert M Marzan, aged 54. All six  soldiers were said to be assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, and died following an Iranian drone attack on a tactical operations center at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on March 1, 2026. US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth stated that the casualties primarily occurred when a projectile breached air defenses and struck a tactical operations center, at a military base in Kuwait. 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC has provided much higher figures, which US officials have dismissed as propaganda. IRGC spokesperson, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini claimed that 650 American soldiers were killed or wounded during the first two days of the conflict. Naeini alleged that 160 of these casualties resulted from strikes on the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Iran also claimed to have struck the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with four cruise missiles. Saying the war ship was forced to flee towards the Indian Ocean. He warned on state TV that “the gates of hell will open more and more” for the US and Israel, promising continuous “punitive attacks”. He announced that Iran is prepared for a “prolonged war” and will soon deploy advanced, “strategic weaponry” and innovations that have not yet been used on a large scale.

The US CeNTCOM in numbers of posts stated that; “The Iranian regime is using mobile launchers to indiscriminately fire missiles in an attempt to inflict maximum harm across the region. US forces are hunting these threats down and without apology or hesitation, we are taking them out. Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LiE. The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CeNTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.

The Iranian regime’s false messaging machine continues to falsely claim that it has sunk a US aircraft carrier. The only carrier that has been hit is the Shahid Bagheri, an Iranian drone carrier. US forces struck the ship within hours of launching Operation Epic Fury. Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. During a UN Security Council meeting yesterday, the Iranian Ambassador to the U.N stated their response has been directed solely and exclusively at the bases and assets of the United States. LiE. The Iranian Regime is actively targeting civilians and has attacked more than a dozen locations including: Dubai International Airport, Kuwait International Airport, Zayed International Airport, Dubai, Erbil International Airport, Iraq, Fairmont Palm Hotel, Dubai, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Bahrain, Port of Dubai, Residential areas in Beit Shemesh, Israel, Residential areas in Tel Aviv, Israel, Residential area of Era Views Towers, Bahrain, Residential areas in Qatar”.

When NBC presenter asked the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi “Are you afraid of a US invasion in your country?”,  Araghchi replied and said: “No, we are waiting for them. Araghchi explicitly stated that Iran is “not asking for a ceasefire” or the continuation of the war by waiting for the US ground troops invasion, and while saying Iran sees no reason to negotiate with the US at this time, he also said that Iran now has more quality resources based on lessons learnt from previous war, adding, Iranian soldiers can handle US ground Troops. Reiterating, Iran is “waiting” for a potential US ground invasion, characterizing such an offensive as a “big disaster” for American troops.

Araghchi had earlier labeled a recent US strike on an “unarmed” Iranian navy training ship a “war crime”. Araghchi accused President Donald Trump of “betraying diplomacy” by treating complex nuclear negotiations like a “real estate transaction”. He claimed there is “clear evidence” that US forces are actively cooperating with Israel in recent attacks on Iranian soil. He cautioned that a full military conflict would be “disastrous for the entire region” due to the presence of US military bases across the Middle East.

China and Russia are supporting Iran primarily through high-level diplomatic protection and critical military technology, though they have notably refrained from direct military intervention during the current conflict. Both nations requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address recent US and Israeli strikes.

China and Russia have officially labeled the attacks “grave violations” of Iranian sovereignty and “war crimes”. Russia has publicly stated there is “no evidence” of Iran seeking a nuclear bomb, countering Western justifications for the strikes. They continue to legitimize the Iranian government by deepening its roles in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, SCO.

Reports indicated that Russia has begun delivering Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 air defense components to help Iran detect stealth aircraft like the F-35. China has transitioned Iran’s military from US GPS to its own BeiDou-3 navigation system, which provides jam-resistant, high-precision targeting for Iranian missiles. Both allies share real-time satellite imagery and signals intelligence, SIGINT to help Tehran monitor US and Israeli troop movements.

Before the new war started, it could be recalled that in late February 2026, the three nations conducted the “Maritime Security Belt – 2026” naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz to demonstrate strategic alignment.

Meanwhile, Al-Jazeera reported on Thursday that top Iranian official Ali Larijani has stressed that his country is prepared to confront a possible invasion from the United States, pledging to capture and kill US troops if they enter the country. Thursday’s statement comes as US officials, including President Donald Trump, refuse to rule out deploying forces inside Iran.

Larijani, who serves as the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, warned that such actions would have dire consequences. “Some American officials have stated that they intend to enter Iranian territory on the ground with several thousand troops,” Larijani said in a statement.

He then added a pointed reference to Iran’s former supreme leaders, Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei, the latter of whom was killed on Saturday in a joint US-Israeli strike. “The valiant sons of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei are waiting for you, ready to disgrace those corrupt American officials by killing and capturing thousands,” he said. Larijani, who was a close adviser to the assassinated supreme leader, is believed to be one of the most powerful figures in Iran”.

An apparent pro US Government Facebook user with the account handle “Donald Trump for President” clarifies issues related to some US pilots seen during ejecting from their fighter jets for safety in Kuwait. According to the Facebook user in numbers of posts in one of which titled; “Kuwaiti Rushes to Aid Downed Female American Pilot: “Thank You for Helping Us”. In the desert heat of Operation Epic Fury, a female US F-15E Strike Eagle pilot ejected safely after her jet was tragically downed by friendly fire from Kuwaiti air defenses. As she touched down in the sand at sunset, a local Kuwaiti man sprinted across the dunes to reach her first, beating everyone else to the scene.

“Are you fine? You are safe! Thank you for helping us,” the man told her, his voice carrying gratitude for America’s role in regional security. CeNTCOM confirmed all six American aircrew—three F-15Es total—ejected safely, were recovered within hours, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged the error amid the confusion of Iranian missiles and drone barrages.

The moment highlights the human side of coalition warfare: a civilian rushing to assist a foreign pilot in distress, underscoring the complexity of modern military operations and the bonds between partner nations. God bless the service members who risk their lives in dangerous missions—and the civilians who step forward to help when it matters most.

On March 2, 2026, three US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were accidentally shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses during high-intensity operations against Iranian targets under Operation Epic Fury. All six pilots ejected safely and were recovered within hours by coalition forces in stable condition. No local civilian assistance was needed. Each pilot carried the standard blood chit—a small, rugged fabric patch sewn into flight gear with a clear multilingual plea:

“I am an American and I do not speak your language. I will do you no harm. Please give me food, water, shelter, clothing, and a doctor. Help me reach American or friendly forces. When you provide my name and this number to US authorities, you will be rewarded.”

Printed in English, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Kurdish, the blood chit is a proven World War Two era survival measure that promises cash rewards for aid. In this case, thanks to rapid US-Kuwaiti coordination, the chits remained in the pilots’ gear—unnecessary but ready.

The incident reminds us that even among close allies, the fog of war can strike hard. Yet swift recovery and strong coalition response kept American airmen safe and mission focus intact.

The fog of war nearly led to a tragedy in the Al Jahra area of Kuwait today, but a viral video is showing the world how quickly a “violent” situation turned into a heroic rescue. After three US F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly downed by Kuwaiti air defenses in a “friendly fire” incident, one of our pilots found himself surrounded by a group of intense, shouting locals.

In the heat of Operation Epic Fury, tensions are at a breaking point across the Gulf. When the jet spiraled down in flames, locals rushed to the scene: Witnesses, including Ahmed al-Asar, initially thought the parachuting airman was an Iranian pilot from the regime that has been launching “reckless” strikes across the region. The footage shows a crowd closing in, shouting in Arabic, as the pilot—clutching his equipment—desperately identifies himself: “American! American! Over here!”

The second the crowd realized he was an American ally, the energy shifted instantly. You can hear the locals shouting “Khalas! Khalas!” (Stop! Stop!) to hold back the more aggressive members and begin the rescue. What started as a confrontation ended with the pilot being shielded and comforted by the very people he’s in the region to protect:

The pilot was given shelter in a vehicle and checked for injuries. One local can be heard reassuring him in English: “How you feelin’? It’s okay, brother, come.” Despite the “friendly fire” error—caused by the chaos of a massive Iranian drone and missile swarm—Kuwait has acknowledged the mistake and is working “hand-in-hand” with the Trump-Hegseth team to ensure it doesn’t happen again”.