Iran's deputy foreign minister has warned that the United States would face 'another Vietnam' if it deploys ground troops in the ongoing war, saying American forces could be dragged into a prolonged and costly conflict. Speaking in Tehran, he said Iran is prepared to fight for as long as necessary and is not currently prioritising a diplomatic solution.

While not ruling out negotiations, he said it is up to the United States and its allies to present a proposal that would permanently end the conflict. He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pushing Washington into the war for his own agenda and at the expense of American lives.

The warning comes after two weeks of intense fighting that has killed nearly 1,500 people in Iran and displaced millions, along with hundreds more across the region. Thirteen American service members and one French soldier have also been killed. The deputy foreign minister also insisted that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is healthy and firmly in control despite not appearing publicly.