Kamal Ghorui
The Pentagon has reportedly drawn up detailed plans for a possible deployment of United States ground troops into Iran. The planning comes as the war between Iran and United States and Israel continues.According to CBS News sources, senior US military commanders have made specific requests to ensure operational readiness, indicating that the military is preparing for a scenario that could go beyond the current air or naval action.However, when asked about the possibility of sending troops to the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said, “No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” but added, “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you,” signalling that he is keeping the option open.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also earlier hinted at a possible invasion, saying that the Pentagon’s role is to ensure the President has “maximum optionality” in any crisis. She, however, added that “as the President said in the Oval Office yesterday, he is not planning to send ground troops anywhere at this time.”Even so, preparations are moving ahead on multiple fronts. According to the report, the military has held discussions on how to capture and detain Iranian personnel if an invasion took place. This included identifying locations where detainees would be processed and held, pointing to the level of detail in the planning.Alongside this, key US military units are being readied. These include the 82nd Airborne Division, the Marine Corps’ Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the Army’s Global Response Force.Thousands of Marines currently heading towards the Middle East could also be part of the plan. Three naval ships carrying around 2,200 Marines have departed California, marking the second such deployment since the conflict began. Another unit, earlier redirected from the Pacific region, is still on its way.
