Report: Pentagon Preparing for Weeks of Ground Operations in Iran

The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, the Washington Post reported Saturday, citing U.S. officials. The plans could involve raids by Special Operations and conventional infantry troops, the Post reported. Whether President Donald Trump would approve any of those plans remains uncertain, according to the Post.

The Trump administration has deployed U.S. Marines to the Middle East as the war in Iran stretches into its fifth week, and also has been planning to send thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne to the region.

 Officials said any ground mission would likely be limited in scope and could involve raids by Special Operations forces alongside conventional troops, rather than a full-scale invasion. The plans have been under development for weeks, though it remains unclear whether the president will approve them.

Such operations would expose U.S. personnel to risks including Iranian drones, missiles, ground fire and improvised explosive devices. At the same time, the administration has sent mixed signals about its intentions, at times suggesting the conflict may wind down while also warning of potential escalation.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said military planning is intended to provide the president with options and does not indicate a final decision. Discussions have included possible actions such as seizing Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub, and conducting raids along the Strait of Hormuz to target weapons threatening shipping routes.

President Trump has publicly denied plans to deploy ground troops, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States could achieve its objectives without a prolonged conflict or ground operations.

Recent reports have suggested additional troop deployments may be under consideration, though they have not been independently confirmed. Meanwhile, U.S. forces in the region have sustained casualties in recent weeks, with multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries reported from attacks linked to Iran.

Public opinion polls indicate significant opposition among Americans to deploying ground troops in Iran, while views on airstrikes are more divided.

Military analysts say potential operations, such as seizing strategic locations, would carry substantial risks and logistical challenges, particularly in protecting forces once deployed. Alternative strategies could include targeting coastal military sites or using naval pressure to secure shipping lanes.

Within Congress, lawmakers remain divided over the prospect of ground operations, with some Republicans opposing the deployment of U.S. troops on Iranian soil.