The Washington Post reveals the Pentagon is preparing for potential land operations in Iran, including strikes and potential occupation of key sites, despite White House statements.
US Considers Land Operations in Iran
According to the Washington Post, citing US officials, potential land actions could involve airstrikes with special forces and conventional infantry. Scenarios discussed within the Trump administration include seizing the Kharg Island terminal in the Persian Gulf, a key export hub for Iranian oil and gas.
Other options include landing on coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz to locate and destroy weapons potentially used to attack commercial and military vessels. One source indicated implementation of these goals could take “weeks, not months,” while another estimated a “couple of months.”
White House Response
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that no decision regarding the deployment of land forces has been made. She emphasized the Pentagon’s role is to prepare options, granting the commander-in-chief maximum flexibility, but clarified this does not signify a presidential decision.
Trump’s Shifting Stance and Iranian Response
While President Trump last week appeared to rule out sending ground troops to Iran, Leavitt subsequently threatened that the president “is prepared to unleash hell” if Iran does not agree to a peace deal during ongoing negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted the US can achieve its objectives without a land deployment.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, declared Iranian forces are prepared for the arrival of US troops, criticizing Trump for “secretly planning a land attack” while publicly suggesting openness to negotiations. Ghalibaf stated, “Our people are waiting to set American soldiers on fire upon landing.”
Troop Deployments to the Middle East
Thousands of US troops, including Marines, have arrived in the Middle East in recent days, with additional units en route. Axios and the Wall Street Journal have reported the administration is considering sending an additional 10,000 ground troops to the region.
Trump Previously Praised for Avoiding Military Action
Earlier in March, Trump shared a post from former George W. Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen on Truth Social, praising him as a “pioneer of a new way of leadership” focused on “changing the world without using land forces.”
