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The Pentagon is reportedly preparing plans for weeks of potential ground operations in Iran that officials warn could be "significantly more dangerous" than the first four weeks of war.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently said he has not decided, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisting ground troops are unnecessary, and 62% of Americans oppose the move.
"Any ground mission would fall short of a full-scale invasion, instead involving a mix of Special Operations forces and conventional infantry raids," U.S. officials told The Washington Post (WP) on condition of anonymity on Sunday.
Possible missions reportedly include the seizure of Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, and raids along the Strait of Hormuz coastline to destroy weapons targeting commercial and military shipping.
The threat environment would be severe, with officials warning troops could face Iranian drones and missiles, ground fire, and improvised explosives.
One official said the objectives under consideration would take "weeks, not months." Another official estimated "a couple of months."
"It's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the President has made a decision," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Yet the Trump administration has simultaneously threatened to escalate if Iran does not end its nuclear ambitions and cease threats against the U.S. and its allies.
Leavitt warned earlier this week that Trump is "prepared to unleash hell" if Tehran refuses to comply.
Trump told reporters on March 20: "I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in France on Friday, said the conflict "is not going to be a prolonged conflict" and that the U.S. "can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops."
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CENTCOM also confirmed Saturday that the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship arrived in its area of responsibility on March 27, carrying 3,500 sailors and Marines as well as transport and attack aircraft.
The arrival brings U.S. troop deployments in the region to approximately 7,000, including 5,000 Marines and 2,000 airborne troops, according to U.S. media reports.
Thirteen U.S. troops have been killed in action since the war began: six in a plane crash in Iraq, six in a drone attack on Port Shuaiba in Kuwait, and one in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Over 300 service members have been wounded, at least 10 seriously.
A recent poll shows 62% of Americans oppose deploying ground troops to Iran, while only 12% support the measure. Nearly half (48%) oppose sending U.S. government funds to aid Israel’s army, with about 4 in 10 (39% each) opposing conducting airstrikes against military targets inside Iran or to kill Iranian leaders.
Regional escalation has continued since the U.S. and Israel launched the offensive on Feb. 28, killing over 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
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