The Pentagon is preparing for a potential ground operation in Iran that could last for weeks, as thousands of US Marines arrive in the Middle East in what officials describe as a major escalation of the conflict.
Defence insiders say the plans stop short of a full-scale invasion, instead focusing on targeted operations using Special Operations forces supported by infantry units. However, the scale and duration of the preparations signal a significant shift in the US military posture in the region.
It remains unclear whether Donald Trump has formally approved the plans, though officials say the Pentagon is building out options for the Commander-in-Chief as tensions intensify.
The deployment includes the arrival of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which reached the region on Saturday with around 3,500 troops. The unit is typically tasked with rapid-response missions such as securing territory and intercepting hostile vessels.
The move comes amid widening regional instability, with Iran-backed Houthi forces entering the conflict and launching a failed missile strike against Israel.
Reports suggest the White House is also considering sending an additional 10,000 troops, including elements from the 82nd Airborne Division, to further strengthen US capabilities and flexibility in the theatre.
Despite the military buildup, the administration has maintained that it is pursuing diplomatic solutions. Speaking on Friday, Trump struck an ambiguous tone, saying: “It’s sort of finished, but it’s not finished. It’s got to be finished.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced that message while leaving the door open for force, warning that if Tehran continues its nuclear ambitions and regional threats, the President is “prepared to unleash hell.”
She added that the Pentagon’s preparations are part of routine contingency planning designed to provide “maximum optionality,” and do not necessarily indicate that a final decision has been made.
According to sources cited by The Washington Post, the expected duration of any operation could range from several weeks to a couple of months. A former senior defence official said such plans have been extensively war-gamed and are not being developed at the last minute.
Meanwhile, Marco Rubio told allies during a meeting in France that the conflict is not expected to become prolonged. He also suggested that US objectives could potentially be achieved without deploying ground troops.
Even so, preparations continue at pace. Around 10,000 additional troops are reportedly on standby for deployment, while thousands of Marines are already aboard naval vessels heading toward the region.
The conflict has already exacted a toll on US forces, with at least 13 American service members killed, including casualties from a plane crash in Iraq and a drone strike on Port Shuaiba.
As military assets continue to pour into the Middle East, the situation remains volatile—caught between escalating force and uncertain diplomacy, with the world watching closely for Washington’s next move.
English (United States) ·