Iran claims it is ready to respond to the United States' "suicide-style action" to open the Strait of Hormuz, having organized over one million people for ground combat.

On Thursday, March 26, the U.S. and Israel entered the 27th day of military strikes against Iran, with military and diplomatic tensions escalating simultaneously. Iran claimed to have mobilized over one million troops to prepare for a potential ground invasion and officially responded to the U.S. ceasefire proposal, while warning of opening a new front in the Strait of Mandeb. Meanwhile, Israel announced the killing of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Commander, and according to Xinhua citing U.S. media, the U.S. Department of Defense is drafting a “lethal strike” military plan against Iran.

Iran has issued a tough military stance but has also formally responded through intermediaries to the U.S. 15-point ceasefire plan, attaching several clear preconditions. Iran also expressed strong doubts about U.S. sincerity in negotiations, accusing the U.S. of using talks as a cover to buy time for new invasion actions. These developments have made expectations for substantive progress in negotiations in the short term more cautious.

The control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the central focus of the current conflict, directly affecting global energy supply and shipping security. Iran has implemented a “traffic control system” in the strait. According to Xinhua citing British shipping media, since March 13, 26 ships have passed through the strait under this system. U.S. President Trump warned that if Iran does not reach an agreement, it will face ongoing U.S. “intense pressure,” and stated that if a “correct agreement” is reached, the Strait of Hormuz will be open.

Iran mobilizes over a million troops to deter ground invasion

According to CCTV News, on Thursday, local time, Iranian military sources said Iran has organized over 1 million personnel for ground combat readiness. In recent days, many Iranian youths have submitted enlistment applications to Basij militias, the IRGC, and army recruitment centers.

Xinhua citing Iranian media reports that, if the U.S. attempts to open the Strait of Hormuz through “suicide missions,” Iran is prepared and will continue to blockade the strait. The Iranian Army Commander also warned during a border inspection that for the enemy, ground warfare is “more dangerous and costly.”

Additionally, according to Xinhua, Iranian military sources cited by Iranian media said that if the enemy attempts ground operations against Iranian islands or the mainland, or pressures Iran through naval actions in the Persian Gulf and Oman Gulf, Iran will open a new front in the Strait of Mandeb. The IRGC announced on social media that it has launched the 82nd wave of the “Real Commitment-4” operation, striking U.S. military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.

U.S. military develops “lethal strike” plan, possibly involving ground forces

According to Xinhua citing U.S. media, U.S. officials and sources said the Department of Defense is developing a “lethal strike” military plan against Iran, which may include the use of ground troops and large-scale bombing.

Sources revealed that specific options include invading or blockading Iran’s main oil export hub, Khark Island; attacking the strategic location of Larak Island controlling the Strait of Hormuz; seizing Abu Musa Island and two other small islands at the western entrance of the strait; and blocking or seizing ships transporting Iranian oil on the east side of the strait. The U.S. has also drafted plans for deep inland ground operations to seize high-enriched uranium at nuclear facilities, or to carry out large-scale airstrikes to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear materials in the future.

The White House stated that ground operations are still hypothetical discussions, and Trump has not made a final decision on these plans. However, sources said that if negotiations fail to produce substantial results in the short term, Trump is prepared to escalate the conflict. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre warned on Wednesday, the 25th, that if no agreement is reached, Trump is ready to launch “more severe” strikes than ever before.

According to CCTV News, Trump said on Thursday that Iran is engaging in dialogue with the U.S., and they will see if an agreement can be reached and the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened. Trump also stated that Iran “must reach an agreement.” According to Xinhua, the commander of U.S. Central Command said that U.S. forces have so far attacked over 10,000 Iranian military targets.

Israel claims to have killed IRGC Navy Commander and senior naval officers

According to CCTV News, on Thursday, Israel Defense Forces announced that during an airstrike on the southern port city of Abadan, they killed Ali Reza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy, and several senior naval officers. Tangsiri was meeting with other senior IRGC naval officials at the time. Also killed was Behnam Rezaei, head of Iranian naval intelligence, while other senior commanders’ names have not been disclosed.

The IDF stated that Tangsiri had served as IRGC Navy Commander for about 8 years, during which he was responsible for attacks on oil tankers and merchant ships, threatening navigation and trade security in the Strait of Hormuz and international waters, and had led efforts to close the strait and plan maritime attacks—being one of the key figures disrupting the global economy.

Xinhua reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu also said that Israel is establishing a larger “buffer zone” in Lebanon to counter threats from Hezbollah anti-tank missiles.

Iran responds to ceasefire plan, adds preconditions

According to CCTV News, Iran officially responded through intermediaries on Wednesday evening local time to the U.S. proposed 15-point ceasefire plan.

Citing sources, CCTV reports that Iran explicitly set four preconditions: the enemy must cease aggression and terrorist acts; objective conditions must be created to prevent future wars; commitments to compensate for war damages must be made and implemented; and all resistance organizations on all fronts must end their actions. Iran also emphasized that sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is a “natural and legitimate right” that cannot be changed.

Sources stressed that Iran views the U.S. negotiations as a “third deception” plan, aiming to deceive the international community, keep oil prices low, and buy time for ground invasion.

Xinhua also reports that Pakistan’s foreign minister said that indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations are being conducted via Pakistan’s channels. The 15-point ceasefire proposal previously included Iran’s promise never to develop nuclear weapons and to open the Strait of Hormuz as a “free sea,” and Iran is currently reviewing these proposals.

British media reports that the Hormuz Strait control system has allowed 26 ships to pass

According to Xinhua citing Lloyd’s List, a British shipping media outlet, the IRGC has implemented a “control system” in the Strait of Hormuz requiring passing ships to submit complete documentation, obtain passage codes, and accept escort by Iranian vessels. Since March 13, 26 ships have passed through under this system.

Under this system, ship operators must contact designated intermediaries associated with the IRGC before passage, submitting documents including IMO number, ownership chain, cargo list, destination, and crew list. The intermediaries then forward these to the IRGC Navy’s Hormuz Province command for sanctions screening, cargo priority review, and “geopolitical review,” with priority given to oil tankers. After review, the IRGC issues passage codes and provides route instructions. Ships approaching the strait must verify codes via radio and be escorted by pilot vessels into Iranian waters.

CCTV News reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian issued a statement on social media on Thursday, describing Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz as “self-defense,” and criticizing U.S. support for Israel’s blockade of Gaza while condemning Iran, calling it a “double standard,” and stating that international law “is not a tool to be used arbitrarily.”

Regional parties call for ceasefire; EU accuses Russia of providing intelligence to Iran, Russia denies

The escalation of conflict has drawn widespread regional and international attention. CCTV News reports that Turkish President Erdoğan, speaking in Ankara on the 26th, directly named the Netanyahu government, accusing Israel of targeting Iran and gradually implementing plans to invade Lebanon. He called the Middle East “the most painful moment in nearly a century” and urged regional countries to set aside differences and return to rationality.

According to Xinhua, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan issued a joint statement strongly opposing any actions that threaten regional security and stability, calling for a halt to escalation. Jordan’s King Abdullah II, in a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Sulaimani, emphasized the need for increased international efforts to reach a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire. Hezbollah’s military organization, “Lebanese Islamic Resistance,” announced it had launched multiple missiles at Israeli Defense Ministry headquarters and military intelligence facilities.

Regarding the positions of Russia and Europe, U.S. media report that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused Russia of providing intelligence to Iran for “attacking and killing Americans,” and called on the U.S. to exert greater pressure on the Kremlin. The Kremlin denied these reports, with spokesperson Peskov calling them “many lies.”

Xinhua reports that Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned that striking the Bushehr nuclear power plant would cause “irreversible consequences,” and that Russian personnel working there are under threat, stating it “must be absolutely unacceptable.”

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