Former Iranian lawmaker says US ground attack on Iran now 'inevitable'

BASRA, Iraq — A former Iranian lawmaker, Jalali Rashidi Koochi, said a US ground attack on Iran has become "inevitable," arguing that recent American airstrikes against southern regions appear to be preparation for a land operation. Koochi said high temperatures have delayed the start of any ground offensive and that the latest strikes were directed at southern Iran and coastal areas along the Persian Gulf, steps he described as part of that preparation. He offered no concrete evidence to support the assessment. The US administration has not issued any official statement confirming plans for a ground operation on Iranian territory. US forces carried out airstrikes against southern regions of Iran and coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz over the past week, though operational details have not been publicly confirmed.