US President Donald Trump has stated that he won’t send ground forces to Iran, but his words leave room for reversal. Despite acknowledging potential moves that could drag the military into land combat operations, Trump claimed no troops would be deployed. The Pentagon is seeking $200 billion to support a prolonged war effort, which may face resistance on Capitol Hill.
The conflict between the US and Iran has been escalating since the first strikes three weeks ago. Israel and Iran have exchanged strikes on key energy infrastructure sites, causing global markets to fluctuate. Trump stated that while attacking Iran hurts the economy, it’s necessary and will be resolved soon. However, officials suggest the administration is preparing for a longer fight, with possible operations on Kharg Island and Isfahan.
The US has moved 2,500 Marines from the Indo-Pacific region to the Middle East, adding to approximately 50,000 troops already in the area. The selection of this unit suggests potential raids into Iran, possibly against fast boats capable of mining the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/world/middleeast/trump-iran-us-troops.html