‘They’re Being Decimated’: Trump Leaves Door Open for US Ground Troops in Iran

Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that the United States could consider deploying ground troops in Iran if there were a “very good reason,” as tensions continue to escalate in the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump declined to directly confirm whether Washington was planning a ground invasion but said the option could not be completely ruled out. He added that if such a move were ever taken, Iranian forces would be “so decimated” that they would not be able to effectively fight US troops on the ground.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t think it’s an appropriate question,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of sending American troops into Iran. “There could be a possibility for a very good reason. There has to be a very good reason. If we ever did that, they would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight at the ground level.”

Trump also ruled out the possibility of negotiations with Tehran, saying the US was not currently seeking a settlement despite Iran’s willingness to engage in talks. His comments come days after he declared it was “too late” for negotiations and demanded Iran’s unconditional surrender to end the US-Israeli military campaign that began on February 28.

Reports indicate that a series of US and Israeli strikes have killed several senior Iranian leaders, including top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other key figures in Iran’s defence establishment.

Meanwhile, uncertainty over Iran’s leadership has grown following reports of the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Attention has now shifted to his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is widely seen as a potential successor as Iran moves toward naming a new supreme leader.