The Pentagon is preparing for the possibility of weeks of ground operations in Iran, according to US officials cited by The Washington Post, as thousands of American soldiers and Marines arrive in the Middle East in what could mark a dangerous new phase of the conflict if US President Donald Trump decides to escalate.
Officials said any prospective ground action would stop short of a full-scale invasion. Instead, it could involve targeted raids carried out by a combination of US Special Operations forces and conventional infantry units. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the plans, said preparations have been under way for several weeks, reported The Washington Post.
The officials warned that such operations would expose US troops to significant risks, including attacks from Iranian drones and missiles, ground fire, and improvised explosive devices. As of Saturday, it remained unclear whether US President Trump would approve all, some or none of the military options presented by the Pentagon.
U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 27. The America-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group / 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about… pic.twitter.com/JFWiPBbkd2
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 28, 2026
Discussions within the administration over the past month have reportedly included the possible seizure of Kharg Island, a strategically vital hub for Iranian oil exports located in the Persian Gulf. Officials also spoke of potential raids along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at locating and destroying weapons capable of targeting commercial and military vessels operating in the region.
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According to one official cited in the report, the objectives under consideration would likely take "weeks, not months" to complete, while another estimated the timeline could extend to "a couple of months."
The revelation comes amid mixed messaging from the Trump administration in recent days. While senior officials have suggested at times that tensions with Iran are easing, others have warned that the situation remains volatile and could worsen rapidly.
Trump has indicated an interest in pursuing negotiations to resolve the crisis. However, speaking on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt struck a far more forceful tone, saying that if Iran's leadership does not abandon its nuclear programme and cease what she described as threats against the United States and its allies, the president is "prepared to unleash hell."
The evolving military preparations underscore the uncertainty surrounding Washington's next steps as diplomatic efforts continue alongside mounting pressure for decisive action.
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