Pentagon reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran [View all]
Your Navy
Pentagon reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran
By J.D. Simkins
Mar 29, 2026, 10:35 AM

U.S. Marines with the 31st MEU operate an amphibious combat vehicle during exercise Iron Fist 26 on Okinawa, Japan, March 4, 2026. (Lance Cpl. Eadan Avramidis/Marine Corps)
The Pentagon is putting together plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran as U.S. forces amass in the region, the Washington Post
reported.
Citing multiple U.S. officials, the Post report suggested ground operations could involve both conventional infantry and special operations elements, but would not yet rise to the level of a full-scale invasion.
Decisions on whether or not to green light operations, which would put U.S. troops at substantially more risk to Iranian threats, now rest with President Donald Trump.
The Posts report comes as U.S. military assets continue to flood the region. On Friday, U.S. Marines and sailors assigned to the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group arrived in U.S. Central Command waters.
The group, which is led by the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and includes the embarked
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed earlier this month from its homeport of Sasebo, Japan.
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