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Iran deputy foreign minister tells Sky News US ground troops would be 'reckless' — Iran will fight for as long as needed

·Tehran, Iran

Iran's deputy foreign minister gave a live interview to Sky News international affairs editor from Tehran, warning that US boots on the ground would be a 'reckless' move and that Iran would fight for as long as is needed. The interview came after Trump said he was 'not really afraid of anything' and was 'not ready to leave yet.' Iran confirmed Larijani and Soleimani's deaths the same evening.

Iran's deputy foreign minister gave a live on-camera interview to Sky News international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn in Tehran on Day 18 evening, delivering Iran's clearest direct messaging to the US since the conflict began. The deputy FM warned that US boots on the ground in Iran would be a 'reckless' move and said Iran would 'fight for as long as is needed.' The interview was conducted from Tehran and broadcast live — a notable piece of Iranian public diplomacy directly challenging Trump's ground troops statement. Trump responded to the Sky News interview by saying he was 'not really afraid of anything.' Trump also confirmed to reporters the US was 'not ready to leave yet' but would do so 'in the near future.' The exchange represents the clearest direct exchange of threats and counter-threats between Iran and the US administration through media on Day 18.
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Actor responses

IranSUPPORTINGSTATEMENT

Iran's deputy FM warned in a live Sky News interview from Tehran that US ground troops in Iran would be 'reckless' and that Iran would fight for as long as needed. The statement was delivered directly to Western media on Day 18 evening.

United StatesOPPOSINGRESPONSE

Trump responded to the Iran deputy FM interview by telling reporters he was 'not really afraid of anything' and confirmed the US was 'not ready to leave yet' but would in the near future. No change in US military posture was announced.

IsraelNEUTRALRESPONSE

Israel did not formally comment on the Iran deputy FM Sky News interview. Israeli officials noted that Iran's public posture remained maximalist even as the regime continued to lose senior figures to Israeli strikes.

Sources