US-Iran war LIVE updates: Iran warns US ground troops will be ‘set on fire’; Regional powers meet in Pakistan for talks to end the war; Netanyahu says Israel will widen its invasion of southern Lebanon

A top Iranian official has warned the US against a ground invasion, threatening to “set them on fire”.

As the first contingent of 3500 US service members arrived in the region, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran’s parliament, said his forces were waiting to “set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever”.

“We are certain we can punish America and make it regret ever considering an attack on Iran.”

Ghalibaf accused Washington of secretly planning a ground invasion while talking of negotiation.

“The enemy, openly, sends messages of negotiation and dialogue, but secretly is planning a ground attack,” Ghalibaf said.

“As long as the Americans seek Iran’s surrender, our response is that we will never accept humiliation,” he said in a defiant message to the nation.