White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration is not currently planning to deploy U.S. ground troops into Iran, but she declined to rule out the possibility. The remarks came during a White House briefing as military operations against Iran continue under President Trump’s leadership.
Leavitt addressed the issue while responding to reporters about the next phase of the conflict. She stated that sending U.S. troops onto Iranian soil is “not part of the plan for this operation at this time.” However, she emphasized that the administration would not remove military options from consideration while the situation remains fluid.
The comments reflect the administration’s strategy during the ongoing military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. U.S. and Israeli forces have carried out a series of airstrikes and naval attacks targeting Iran’s military infrastructure and leadership. According to U.S. officials, the strikes have focused on dismantling missile systems, naval capabilities, and drone production networks linked to the Iranian regime.
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Leavitt reiterated that President Donald Trump maintains flexibility in military planning. She said the White House will not “take options off the table” while U.S. forces continue operations against what the administration describes as a terrorist regime in Tehran. The statement signals that while ground troops are not currently planned, the possibility remains open if the conflict intensifies.
The conflict has expanded rapidly in recent days. U.S. military officials report that American forces have struck thousands of Iranian targets and destroyed or sunk more than 20 Iranian naval vessels. Pentagon leaders say the operations are aimed at neutralizing Iran’s military threat and preventing the country from advancing toward nuclear weapons capability.
At the same time, the administration has stressed that the current mission focuses on military objectives rather than a full-scale ground invasion. Analysts note that a U.S. ground deployment in Iran would represent a dramatic escalation, potentially involving tens of thousands of troops and a prolonged military campaign.
President Trump has previously said he would consider sending troops if necessary to secure American interests and eliminate threats from the Iranian regime. However, officials continue to emphasize that the present strategy relies primarily on airpower, naval operations, and precision strikes rather than large-scale troop deployments.
The debate over ground troops is also unfolding in Washington as lawmakers and military leaders weigh the risks of a wider Middle East war. Some members of Congress have raised concerns about escalation, while administration officials argue that decisive action is necessary to protect U.S. security and confront Iran’s hostile activities.
For now, the White House maintains that boots on the ground are not part of the current operational plan. But the administration’s refusal to rule out the option underscores the uncertainty surrounding the evolving conflict and the possibility of further escalation if hostilities continue.
This article originally appeared on American Faith and is reposted with permission.
