So here's the latest from a war that seems to be getting more entrenched by the day. Iran's foreign minister basically threw down the gauntlet on Thursday, saying Tehran is not just prepared for a possible U.S. ground invasion—it's actively waiting for it. The message, delivered in a video interview, came as fighting involving Iran, the United States, and Israel continues to spread across the region.

A Defiant Stance on the Ground War

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking with NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas from Tehran, didn't mince words when asked about American troops entering Iran. "No, we are waiting for them," he said. "Because we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them." That's not the language of someone looking for a way out; it's the language of someone digging in.

He also shut the door on a ceasefire, despite continued U.S. and Israeli strikes. Araghchi argued that it was Israel, not Iran, that had sought a pause after last year's 12-day war, which saw Israeli and U.S. forces target Iranian nuclear facilities. The implication is clear: from Iran's perspective, they're not the ones who need a break.

The Grim Human Cost and a Disputed Strike

The interview turned to one of the war's most tragic chapters: a strike on an elementary school in Minab. It's one of the deadliest civilian incidents so far. The U.S. military has said the episode is under investigation and has raised the possibility of an errant Iranian munition.

Araghchi rejected that outright. He said 171 children were killed and placed the blame squarely on American or Israeli forces. "This is what our military said. So it is either U.S. or Israel. What is the, what is the difference?" he said. Reports indicate more than 160 people were killed in the strike, though who is responsible remains a point of fierce contention.

Araghchi offered a bleak, almost philosophical take on the conflict's trajectory: "There is no winner in this war." He added that Iran's victory would be measured by its ability to resist what he called illegal aims. He also dismissed a report that former President Trump wanted a say in selecting Iran's next supreme leader, stating that decision belongs solely to the Iranian people.

Washington's Response: Pushback and Political Backing

The White House didn't let the remarks go unanswered. Spokesperson Anna Kelly, in a press conference, pushed back hard. She claimed Iran's retaliatory ballistic missile attacks had fallen by a staggering 90% because Operation Epic Fury was crippling its ability to launch and produce those weapons. It was a direct counter to the narrative of Iranian strength.

Meanwhile, in Congress, the political winds seem to be blowing in favor of the current military course. The Republican-controlled House voted 219-212 on Thursday against a resolution to limit the war in Iran. This came a day after the Senate blocked a similar measure. The votes aren't a ringing endorsement, but they do signal implicit congressional backing for the strikes that began last weekend. For now, it seems both sides are settling in for a longer fight.