Araghchi: Netanyahu is seeking to save himself “like a degenerate gambler” with “more U.S. blood and treasure”; Iranian commander: “The enemy did not dare to enter”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi launched a new attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, October 10, accusing him of trying to save himself with “more U.S. blood and treasure”. The same day, the commander of the Iranian Army’s ground forces described on state television how the army prepared for a possible ground attack.

“Like a degenerate gambler”

“Netanyahu is a wanted war criminal with Arab, American & Iranian blood on his hands. To escape justice, he has no regard for his own people either. Like a degenerate gambler, he’s desperately seeking to save himself with more U.S. blood and treasure. Even U.S. Senators want out,” Araghchi wrote on X.

The reference to senators points to growing voices in Congress against continuing the war. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, for example, said the Pentagon barred him from Al Udeid to hide the damage of the war. Araghchi seeks to show that pressure to end hostilities is also coming from inside the United States, while Tehran prepares its reply to the American plan.

Jahanshahi: canals, tunnels and trenches

The commander of the Iranian Army’s ground forces, Jahanshahi, spoke on state television about the tension with the United States. He said that, drawing on the lessons of the June 2025 war, the army took “very good measures”: it revised its operational plans and built canals, tunnels and defensive trenches.

According to him, the ground forces were operationally ready before the American attacks that began in February 2026. As soon as the war started, more than 50 combat and support units were deployed to the borders: mobile, rapid-reaction, armoured and mechanised brigades, as well as artillery, missile and drone units. The units were sent to the northwest, west, southwest, east and southeast borders, with large quantities of ammunition and equipment.

“These measures played a role in deterrence and prevented the enemy from daring to enter the country’s borders,” he said, adding that the units remain on the borders in case of any contingency.

The message

The two statements send different but complementary messages. Araghchi addresses American public opinion and Congress, presenting the war as Netanyahu’s affair. Jahanshahi addresses those weighing a ground option, saying Iran has fortified its borders and keeps its forces there.