Trump Asserts Willingness to Deploy US Troops to Iran ‘If Necessary

In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump has left open the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to Iran, emphasizing that such a decision would be made if deemed necessary. As tensions in the region escalate, Trump warns of an impending “big wave” of strikes, underscoring the volatile situation.

On Monday, Trump clarified his stance, asserting that he would not hesitate to authorize military intervention if required. “I don’t have the yips when it comes to boots on the ground,” he remarked in an interview with the New York Post. “Like every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it,” he continued, indicating that he prefers to keep all options available.

Trump further elaborated on his position, specifying that while he believes troops might not be necessary, he remains open to the possibility if circumstances dictate. “I say ‘probably don’t need them,’ [or] ‘if they were necessary,'” he explained, highlighting his pragmatic approach to military engagement.

Addressing potential political ramifications, Trump expressed a resolute disregard for public opinion metrics, stating, “I don’t care about polling.” His comments suggest a focus on strategic necessity over electoral considerations, as he navigates the complex geopolitical landscape involving Iran.

Trump also struck a defiant tone about the possible political consequences of such an action, telling the outlet ‘I don’t care about polling.’ 

‘Look, whether polling is low or not, I think the polling is probably fine. But it’s not a question of polling. You cannot let Iran, who’s a nation that has been run by crazy people, have a nuclear weapon,’ the President explained. 

In a separate interview, Trump alluded to major forthcoming action in Iran. 

‘We haven’t even started hitting them hard,’ the President told CNN. ‘The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon.’

‘I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground,’ Donald Trump told the New York Post on Monday, saying he may send ground troops into Iran if ‘necessary’ 

The US has targeted Iranian missile and nuclear facilities, though some reports out of Iran have indicated that a school was also hit during the operation

Should the President send troops into Iran, it would represent the first major troop deployment abroad since the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021

The President did not expand on what the ‘big wave’ could entail or whether it would explicitly include sending US ground forces into Iran. 

The joint US and Israeli offensive, titled Operation Epic Fury, has resulted in the death of Iran’s longtime leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and scores of top Iranian officials. 

At least four US service members have been killed since early Saturday and 18 were injured.

The President and his Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, have warned that more casualties are anticipated as a consequence of war. 

So far, the operation has utilized US air support to bomb Iranian military targets. Should the President send troops into Iran, it would represent the first major troop deployment abroad since the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. 

Hegseth also left the door open to sending US ground forces into Iran during a Pentagon press conference on Monday. 

When pressed about whether there are currently troops in Iran, Hegseth responded: ‘No, but we’re not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do.’

‘I think it’s one of those fallacies for a long time that this department or presidents or others should tell the American enemies, by the way, here’s exactly what, here’s exactly how long we’ll go, here’s exactly how far we’ll go, here’s what we’re willing to do and not do – it’s foolishness,’ he added. 

US forces released new footage on Monday from Operation Epic Fury. Dramatic scenes show two Iranian fighter jets being destroyed, as well as an attack drone storage facility

Aircraft are taxied to a staging point on the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln as part of American military action in the Middle East

If Trump does instruct US forces to invade Iran, it would likely prove broadly unpopular. 

Just 27 percent of Americans approved of the strikes on Iran, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted Saturday and Sunday. 

Close to half of respondents, 43 percent, disapproved of the strikes, while 29 percent said they were not sure. 

General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, noted on Monday that air superiority has been achieved over Iran. 

Strikes by American forces ‘resulted in the establishment of local air superiority. This air superiority will not only enhance the protection of our forces, but also allow them to continue the work over Iran,’ Caine said.

Navy sailors on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on Saturday

A Tomahawk land attack missile is fired from USS Thomas Hudner on Sunday

Controlling the skies over Iran would provide significant protection for any potential ground operation within the country. 

Trump told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview on Sunday that the offensive could last weeks. 

‘It’s always been a four-week process,’ he told the Daily Mail. ‘We figured it will be four weeks or so.’

In later interviews, the president extended that horizon to a potential five-week offensive. 

Still, some current and former US military officials have concerns about what comes next in the operation. 

Iran has launched massive missile and drone salvos at American military bases within the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel and Kuwait. 

US air defense systems have been used to shoot down the Iranian retaliation strikes, though officials reportedly are concerned that American-made anti-missile and anti-drone systems may soon run out of ammo.