Iran's Ghalibaf Warns Fighting Could Resume 'Any Moment' as Israel Goes on High Alert
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran doesn't trust the U.S. and fighting could restart anytime, prompting Israeli military alert Sunday.
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Sunday that fighting could resume "at any moment" and declared Tehran does not trust the United States, according to remarks broadcast on Iranian state television. Israel's military responded by placing forces on high alert amid fears the fragile ceasefire could collapse.
Ghalibaf, who also serves as Iran's chief negotiator, delivered the stark warning as uncertainty continues to swirl around the current truce. His comments signal Tehran's deep skepticism about American involvement in maintaining the peace and suggest Iranian leaders view the ceasefire as temporary at best.
Israeli radio reported Sunday that military and political sources confirmed the army has been placed on high alert status. The move reflects Israeli commanders' assessment that the truce with Iran faces imminent collapse, forcing them to prepare for a rapid return to combat operations.
The escalating tensions threaten to derail the fragile ceasefire agreement that has provided a temporary respite from regional violence. For American interests, any resumption of hostilities would likely disrupt global oil markets, endanger U.S. forces stationed throughout the Middle East, and force Washington to choose between supporting its Israeli ally or pursuing diplomatic solutions with Iran.
Ghalibaf's public distrust of the United States undermines any hope that Tehran might engage constructively with American mediators. His role as both parliament speaker and chief negotiator gives his words particular weight in Iran's political system, suggesting his views reflect broader sentiment among Iranian leadership.
The Israeli military's high alert status indicates commanders believe Iran's threats are credible. Israeli forces have maintained readiness throughout the ceasefire period, but the elevated alert suggests intelligence assessments point toward possible Iranian military action in the coming hours or days.
American taxpayers have invested billions in maintaining Middle East stability, and any collapse of the ceasefire would likely require additional military deployments to protect U.S. interests in the region. The situation also complicates broader American strategic goals of containing Iranian influence while maintaining relationships with Gulf allies.
The timing of Ghalibaf's warnings, delivered on Iranian state television, appears calculated to signal Tehran's position to both domestic and international audiences. By emphasizing Iran's lack of trust in the United States, he may be preparing Iranian public opinion for a return to conflict while signaling to Washington that diplomatic overtures will face skepticism.
Both sides now face critical decisions about whether to honor ceasefire commitments or prepare for renewed hostilities. The next 24-48 hours will likely determine whether diplomatic efforts can salvage the truce or if the region slides back toward open conflict with all its implications for global energy markets and American strategic interests.
