Is Trump Approaching the Ground Option in Iran?

SadaNews - As the war between America and Iran continues, questions are increasing about the possibility of shifting the confrontation from airstrikes to a ground operation within Iranian territory. While U.S. President Donald Trump refuses to rule out this option, military experts and former U.S. officials in a report for "Foreign Policy" believe that a large-scale invasion remains unlikely, although limited operations, such as special forces raids or seizing strategic islands, are still on the table among military options.

Is Washington Threatening a Ground Operation?

President Donald Trump has refused to rule out the option of deploying ground forces, as the war, which has largely focused on control over the Strait of Hormuz, continues to disrupt global energy markets.

Reports conveyed by the magazine stated that the United States has sent more troops to the region, including special forces and medical teams, to expand the military options available to the U.S. president.

During a congressional hearing this week, senior lawmakers asked Trump administration officials whether a ground operation was being considered. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley did not confirm that ground combat was.

A Large-Scale Invasion Requires More Than 100,000 Soldiers

Former U.S. military officials and experts told "Foreign Policy" that current indicators do not suggest that the United States is prepared to launch a major ground operation inside Iran, which would require a significantly larger force than the approximately 50,000 American soldiers currently deployed in the region.

In contrast, they suggested the possibility of conducting limited operations, such as seizing strategic islands, particularly Qeshm Island, or executing special forces raids against military sites.

Retired General Joseph Votel, who led the U.S. Central Command from 2016 to 2019, told the magazine: "I don’t think we are moving towards sending forces to the center of Tehran."

He added that the White House does not seem to be considering a ground operation targeting nuclear sites, explaining that the most likely scenario involves executing limited raids targeting key sites that Iran currently relies on, particularly in coastal areas and some inland regions.

He noted that these objectives could include command and control centers, missile launch platforms, weapon depots, communication networks, and infrastructure that enables Iran to continue influencing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Controlling Important Iranian Territories is Complex

Votel believes that any broader operation aimed at controlling land in the Iranian territory adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz to reopen the shipping lane would require no fewer than 100,000 soldiers.

He stated, "This is a vast area, and we should expect that Iran will fight with everything it has to prevent that."

Although the Iranian military is not considered among the strongest armies, according to Votel, it is capable of putting up significant resistance, and the United States would face complex logistical challenges in moving troops and supplies due to Iran's geographical nature.

Concerns within Congress

Within Washington, the idea of sending ground forces to Iran raises wide concerns among lawmakers, including supporters and opponents of the U.S. administration.

Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu, a former U.S. Air Force officer and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that the issue does not lie in the U.S. military's ability to seize land but in what happens afterward.

He added, "The United States can occupy any area, but the real challenge is holding it. If Washington has to stay inside Iran, we will be faced with an endless war."

Political Risks for Trump

The report indicates that any decision to send ground forces to Iran would carry significant political risks for Trump and the "Republican Party," given the dwindling popularity of war among American voters, rising fuel prices, in addition to the upcoming midterm congressional elections in November.

However, Congressman Ted Lieu stated that Trump’s previous behavior makes it unlikely that he would rule out this option, referring to his earlier agreement this year to send ground troops to Venezuela.

He added, "I never underestimate Donald Trump's ability to make wrong and dangerous decisions. I believe he has a distorted view of reality and does not get the full picture from his advisers, so he may see a ground invasion of Iran as a viable option."