U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz just confirmed that President Trump isn’t ruling out sending ground troops into Iran, as reported by The Hill. This news comes as joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against the Middle Eastern country have been escalating and continuing for a second consecutive week, marking a serious period of conflict.
President Trump himself directly addressed the possibility of deploying ground forces to Iran when speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday. He stated that he “possibly” could send troops, but emphasized that such a move would “have to be [for] a very good reason.” The president further elaborated on the potential outcome, suggesting that if ground forces were ever deployed, Iranian forces “would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight at the ground level.”
Ambassador Waltz underscored President Trump’s characteristic approach to foreign policy, stating unequivocally, “President Trump is never going to take options off the table.” He highlighted a clear distinction between the current administration and previous ones, specifically noting that “unlike his predecessors, both Obama and Biden,” President Trump maintains a broad range of potential responses.
Waltz also provided insight into existing U.S. military preparations, mentioning that the U.S. has troops and specialized assets “that are focused on seizing weapons of mass destruction if needed and if so ordered”
In the midst of these discussions about ground operations, the aerial campaign has been relentless. U.S. Central Command shared updates on X on Friday, detailing the extensive nature of its operations. Its forces have targeted critical Iranian infrastructure, including command and control centers, navy ships, ballistic missile sites, and the headquarters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
However, the human cost of this intensified conflict is becoming increasingly apparent. Reports from Iran indicate significant civilian impact. The Iranian Red Crescent Society has reported that the combined U.S.-Israeli airstrikes have unfortunately damaged nearly 9,700 civilian residential units across Iran.
Furthermore, Hossein Kermanpour, who serves as the head of public relations for Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education, communicated on X on Sunday that the strikes have tragically resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Iranians since the conflict initially flared up on February 28. For the U.S., the conflict has also brought losses; six American troops have died since the war began, a direct result of an Iranian strike on a makeshift operations center located in Kuwait.
Despite the mounting pressure and the explicit possibility of U.S. ground forces, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed a message of defiance and self-reliance. Speaking on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, he firmly stated that his country is “capable enough” to defend itself should the U.S. decide to deploy boots on the ground.
Araghchi emphasized Iran’s historical resilience, proudly declaring, “We are brave people, we have a great civilization. We have defended our land for thousands of years, and we continue to do that as much as it takes.”
Published: Mar 9, 2026 10:00 am