March 03, 2026 : US President Donald Trump has declined to rule out the possibility of deploying American ground forces to Iran, signaling that all options remain on the table as military operations escalate.

In an interview with a private news channel, Trump said he would consider sending troops if the situation required it. While indicating that such a move may not be necessary at this stage, he stressed that he would not categorically reject the option, distinguishing his approach from that of previous administrations.

The remarks come amid uncertainty over how long the ongoing military campaign is expected to continue. Members of the administration have offered differing timelines regarding the duration and scope of the operation.

Trump described the campaign as progressing faster than anticipated, stating that it was “right on schedule” and ahead in terms of targeting Iran’s leadership. He claimed that US and allied forces had made swift advances against key Iranian command figures and military infrastructure.

In separate comments, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also avoided ruling out the deployment of ground troops. Responding to questions about whether American forces could be sent into Iran, Hegseth said it would be imprudent for US officials to publicly define the limits of potential military action.

The statements follow the launch of a joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran, officially named Operation Epic Fury. The large-scale campaign began days ago with coordinated strikes that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, removing Iran’s highest-ranking political and religious authority.

The situation continues to evolve as Washington weighs its next steps in the widening conflict.