 "Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran football team and then back-tracked after global backlash. Image: Reuters")
The Pentagon has prepared detailed contingency plans for the possible deployment of US ground troops into Iran, CBS News reported citing sources.
Senior military officials have reportedly submitted specific requirements to ensure operational readiness, as US President Donald Trump weighs further steps in the ongoing US-Israel conflict. However, Trump has not yet outlined the precise conditions under which he would approve the use of ground forces.
The discussions remain highly confidential, with officials speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning.
Addressing the issue during a press interaction in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said, “No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” but added, “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Pentagon’s role is to ensure the Commander-in-Chief has “maximum optionality” in times of crisis, stressing that such preparations do not signal a final decision. She reiterated that, as of now, the President is not planning to deploy ground troops.
According to CBS News, the military has also held discussions on the logistics of detaining Iranian personnel and paramilitary members in the event of an invasion, including identifying locations for processing and holding detainees.
Meanwhile, elements of the 82nd Airborne Division are being readied for potential deployment, alongside a Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Army’s Global Response Force.
The report added that thousands of Marines are already heading towards the Middle East. Three naval ships carrying around 2,200 Marines recently departed from California, marking the second such deployment since the conflict began, while another unit previously rerouted from the Pacific remains en route.
Quick Reads
View AllThese developments underscore the Pentagon’s efforts to expand the range of military options available to the President, with forces being repositioned to maintain a heightened state of readiness amid the ongoing conflict.