President Donald Trump Considers U.S. Ground Invasion of Iran as Pentagon Drafts Plans

The Pentagon has developed comprehensive strategies for the potential deployment of United States ground troops into Iran.

“He also stressed that Iran does not currently have a plan to extract these materials, and any future step would only be through official international channels”

Al-Jazeera Net

Senior military commanders have submitted specific requests to ensure operational readiness as President Trump weighs further actions.

Al-Jazeera Net

Multiple sources confirm that detailed planning is underway despite Trump's mixed public statements.

When asked directly about sending troops to Iran, Trump told reporters, 'No, I'm not putting troops anywhere,'

But he quickly added, 'If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you,' leaving the possibility open.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the Pentagon's role is to provide 'maximum optionality' to the President.

She emphasized that the planning does not equate to a final decision on ground troop deployment.

Military preparations are advancing on multiple fronts with significant troop movements.

A few thousand soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division could be deployed as part of the plans.

Associated Press News

Amphibious warships carrying roughly 4,000 service members, including about 2,500 Marines, have left California.

Additional amphibious groups are en route bringing the total deployment to as many as 8,000 personnel.

The military has held detailed discussions on capturing and detaining Iranian personnel.

They have identified locations where detainees would be processed and held.

This underscores the level of detail in the contingency planning.

Options under discussion include targeting Iran's Kharg Island, which handles 90% of the country's oil exports.

“It was the second such Marine unit sent since the war began, and it could be a few weeks before it's in place”

CBS News

Officials view Kharg Island as a key leverage point that could force Iran's submission.

The Pentagon sees taking Kharg Island as a way to 'totally bankrupt' Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

This could potentially lead to a swift end of the war according to administration officials.

Planning also centers on deploying JSOC forces for 'extraction' of Tehran's nuclear material.

Iran is believed to possess about 972 pounds of uranium enriched to 60%.

Much of this uranium remains buried under nuclear sites bombed in last year's war.

This creates significant challenges for any recovery mission.

Sending American soldiers into Iran would involve major political and military risks.

Public support within the United States for large-scale ground operations remains low.

CNN

Military experts warn that deploying troops would expose them to missile attacks, drones, and intense resistance.

Several prominent Republicans have specifically advised against boots on the ground.

Wisconsin GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, told CNN he has 'specifically advised against any boots on the ground.'

Rep. Tim Burchett stated, 'I don't want to put Americans on the ground out there in any shape, form or fashion.'

Some Trump allies have encouraged him to declare victory and wind down military efforts.

They want him to achieve objectives like destroying Iran's navy and missile capability rather than escalating.

Any mission to retrieve Iran's enriched uranium would be incredibly dangerous and technically complex.

“Senior military commanders have reportedly submitted specific requests to ensure preparedness Washington, DC: The Pentagon has developed comprehensive strategies for the potential deployment of United States ground troops into Iran, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CBS News”

Deccan Chronicle

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned the material is 'very difficult to handle'.

Deccan Chronicle

The uranium hexafluoride gas is 'highly contaminated and enriched to 60%'.

Grossi said if there was a direct hit during military operations, it would risk contamination.

The material is believed to be buried under the rubble at Iran's Isfahan facility.

Lesser amounts are at Natanz and Fordow facilities destroyed in last year's strikes.

Experts estimate extraction would take more than 1,000 troops at each site and significant time.

A European diplomat noted 'knowledge can't be bombed away' as Iran has expertise that 'cannot be taken out with B-2s'.