The White House: U.S. ground troops ‘not part of plan’ in Iran

The White House: U.S. ground troops ‘not part of plan’ in Iran
A U.S. soldier prepares an Anduril Ghost-X reconnaissance drone during Exercise Combined Resolve 25-1 at the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany, 15 January, 2025.
Reuters

The White House says deploying United States ground troops in Iran is not currently part of the military strategy in the ongoing conflict with Tehran.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said ground forces were “not part of the plan for this operation at this time”, though she did not rule out that options could change as the situation develops.

Her comments come amid continuing U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran that began on 28 February. Washington says more than 2,000 targets have been hit so far, and officials claim the joint campaign is moving towards “complete and total control” of Iranian airspace.

Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and sites linked to the United States across the Gulf region. The strikes have killed at least six US service members and wounded several others.

Leavitt said President Donald Trump plans to attend the dignified transfer ceremony for the six American troops killed in the attacks.

Asked separately about the possibility of U.S. ground forces in Iran, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said decisions on troop deployments rest with policymakers, adding that the military’s role is to execute policy rather than determine it.

The Trump administration has defended the air campaign, saying the operation was launched in response to what it describes as cumulative threats from Iran against the United States.

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