Trump: I Do Not Rule Out Sending Ground Troops to Iran If Necessary

SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the U.S. military is "crushing" Iran, warning that the "big wave" of strikes against Iran has "not begun yet," while not ruling out sending ground troops to Iran "if necessary."

In a phone interview with CNN, Trump said that the war that started on Saturday is "going well" from his perspective. He added, "I believe things are going well. It is very strong. We have the best military in the world, and we are using it."

He also stated, "We haven't even begun to hit them hard yet." He added, "The big wave of strikes has not started yet, and a big wave will come soon."

Trump touched on the expected duration of the war, saying, "I don't want to see this drag on for too long."

He added, "I initially estimated that it would last four weeks, and so far we are moving faster than expected."

When asked if the U.S. is making efforts to help the Iranians against the regime, he answered affirmatively. He said, "We are definitely helping."

He added, "But at this stage we are urging the Iranians to stay in their homes. It is not safe to go out yet, and it will become more dangerous."

These statements come hours after he said in another interview that he does not rule out sending ground troops to Iran "if necessary," and that he is "not afraid" of this option.

In an interview with the New York Post on Monday, Trump said he would not hesitate to send American troops into Iranian territory "if necessary," noting that he does not fear this possibility.

The U.S. President stated, "I am not afraid (of sending) ground troops, unlike all those presidents who say 'no ground troops will be sent.' I do not say that," adding, "I say 'we probably won't need this' or 'if necessary.'"

Earlier on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the war is not aimed at "regime change," but added that "the Iranian regime has already changed."

He said at a press conference at the Pentagon that the U.S. mission in Iran is "to destroy the ballistic missile program and the Iranian navy and to prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapons."

He added, "This is not Iraq, and this is not a war that will not end," stressing that Washington "is not fighting to build democracy; we are fighting to win."