As of March 9, 2026, the United States (under President Trump) is actively considering the possibility of deploying ground troops (or “boots on the ground”) in Iran amid the ongoing conflict, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes (referred to as Operation Epic Fury) targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missiles, naval assets, and related infrastructure.
The conflict is currently in its second week and has primarily involved air and missile campaigns, with no large-scale ground invasion underway yet. However, multiple credible reports and statements indicate serious discussions and openness to limited ground operations:
- President Trump has privately expressed serious interest in deploying a small contingent of U.S. troops for specific strategic purposes (e.g., securing nuclear materials like highly enriched uranium, or other targeted missions), according to sources cited in NBC News and other outlets. He has publicly refused to rule it out, stating he would consider ground troops “if necessary” or for a “very good reason,” and emphasized he won’t categorically say “no boots on the ground” like previous presidents.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials (including Secretary of State Marco Rubio) have declined to rule out ground forces, though they stress the current focus is on air superiority and that objectives could be met without them. The White House has described some reports as speculation and not current plans, but options remain open.
- There are also considerations for special forces operations (e.g., raids to seize uranium stockpiles), rather than a full invasion.
- Iran has responded defiantly, with its foreign minister stating Iranian forces are “capable” and “waiting” for any U.S. ground incursion, warning it would be disastrous for the U.S.
No final decision or orders for ground deployment have been confirmed, and official U.S. sites (White House, Defense, State) emphasize the air-focused campaign while keeping broader options available. Public opinion among some Trump supporters favors airstrikes but opposes large-scale ground involvement.
The situation is fluid and fast-moving, with risks of escalation if ground forces are committed.