CBS News is reporting that President Trump may be planning to deploy US ground forces in Iran, just after Trump said yesterday in the Oval Office that he’s not deploying troops into the terrorist country.
Here’s the report:
Trump administration making heavy preparations for potential use of ground troops in Iran
Pentagon officials have made detailed preparations for deploying U.S. ground forces into Iran, multiple sources briefed on the discussions told CBS News.
Senior military commanders have submitted specific requests aimed at preparing for such an option as President Trump weighs moves in the U.S.-Israel-led conflict with Iran, the sources said.
Mr. Trump has been deliberating whether to position ground forces in the region, sources said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. It was unclear under what circumstances he would authorize the use of troops on the ground.
“No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” he told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday when asked about ground troops, but quickly added: “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”
Officials at U.S. Central Command referred questions from CBS News to the White House and Pentagon.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality, it does not mean the President has made a decision, and as the President said in the Oval Office yesterday, he is not planning to send ground troops anywhere at this time.”
I’m glad they did include statements from both Trump and Karoline Leavitt, however they are clearly trying to scare people into thinking this is going to be a prolonged war like Afghanistan and Iraq.
The only thing I’ve heard that might make sense is Trump taking control over Kharg island in the Strait of Hormuz, given how they are trying to prevent Iran from attacking ships to get it back open. That would require ground troops. But that’s probably just an unfounded rumor as well.