Trump: ‘No American Ground Troops Going into Iran’….
Donald Trump said Thursday that he has no plans to deploy American ground troops into Iran, pushing back against anonymous reports suggesting his administration was considering a large-scale military buildup in the region.
Speaking during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump dismissed the idea of sending additional U.S. forces or easing sanctions on Iranian oil. “No, I’m not putting troops anywhere,” he said, adding that even if such plans existed, he would not disclose them publicly.
His remarks followed a report by Reuters claiming that U.S. officials were reviewing options that could involve deploying thousands of troops to the Middle East. Some of those proposals reportedly included securing commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil supplies.
Despite rejecting a ground invasion, the Pentagon has confirmed an increase in U.S. military presence in the region. An Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), totaling about 4,000 personnel, have already been ordered forward. Among them are elements of the 31st MEU and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli. Additionally, the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group — including USS Boxer, USS Portland, and USS Comstock — is accelerating deployment from the West Coast.
Altogether, these forces could bring the U.S. presence to roughly 8,000 personnel and multiple amphibious ships. Military officials stress that MEUs are designed for rapid response missions such as evacuations, maritime security, and targeted operations—not long-term occupation.
Tensions in the region have intensified since late February, particularly following strikes involving Israel and Iranian energy infrastructure. The situation has heightened concerns over the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Trump acknowledged the potential economic impact of the conflict but framed the military posture as necessary to counter long-term threats. He also expressed confidence that the situation would stabilize soon, emphasizing that current actions are focused on deterrence and regional security rather than a full-scale ground war.