Trump Says He Would Deploy Ground Troops to Iran 'If Necessary'
Mar 3rd 2026
President Trump said he would consider deploying U.S. ground troops to Iran if needed, while Pentagon leaders declined to rule out such a move and the administration offered conflicting timelines for Operation Epic Fury, which killed Iran's Supreme Leader and has caused heavy casualties.
- President Trump refused to rule out sending U.S. ground troops to Iran, saying he would use them if necessary.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine also declined to rule out ground forces and would not set a public limit.
- U.S. and Israeli forces launched Operation Epic Fury, and the initial strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- Iranian state media, citing the Iranian Red Crescent, reported at least 555 people killed in strikes across Iran, including more than 100 children in a hit on a girls elementary school in Minab.
- At least six U.S. service members have been killed and 11 people in Israel were reported killed in Iran's retaliatory attacks.
- Trump and Pentagon officials gave varying timelines for the campaign, from days to four to five weeks, and said the operation could take longer.
- Trump listed objectives including destroying Iran's missile capabilities, crippling its navy, ending its nuclear ambitions, and stopping its overseas arming of proxy forces.