US is prepping for potential ground invasion in Iran
Image: US Marine Corps
More than 3,500 additional US troops arrived in the Middle East, officials announced Saturday, as the ongoing war in Iran enters its second month.
Catch up quick
Two of the biggest developments over the weekend come from exclusive news reports:
- The Pentagon is preparing for a weekslong ground operation in Iran that would fall short of a full-scale invasion, per a Washington Post report on Saturday citing US officials. However, WaPo says it’s still unclear whether Trump will approve any such plans.
- At the same time, President Trump is reportedly weighing a military operation to extract nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran, which would place US troops on the ground for days or weeks, according to a WSJ report Sunday night.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the weekend said the US can meet its objectives in Iran "without any ground troops." But he also said President Trump "has to be prepared for multiple contingencies," with American forces available to allow Trump “to adjust to contingencies, should they emerge."
Negotiations are ongoing, but slow. Iran recently rejected a US-proposed 15-point peace plan, as officials from both sides continue to communicate through intermediaries during the war.
- Some progress was made last week, when Iran eased certain restrictions on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
- But this weekend provided little sign of talks progressing.
US officials have insisted the war may be nearing an end and that Iran is willing to make a deal, but Iranian leaders continue to publicly reject negotiations with the US.
Iran’s missile progress is in the spotlight. Iran fired two missiles at a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean earlier this month, though they didn’t do any damage. But while the attack was unsuccessful, it also indicates Iran has the ability to attack targets that were previously considered out of its reach under a self-imposed 1,240 mile range limit for Iranian missiles.
Looking ahead…The White House and the Pentagon are reportedly considering sending at least 10,000 additional combat troops to the Middle East in the coming days, according to reports from Axios and the Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, top Pakistani officials say their government is ready to facilitate peace talks between the US and Iran in the coming days, which would mark the first such talks since the month-long conflict began.
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Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that sending more US troops into the region is a sign the current strategy isn’t working, not that it is, and risks pulling America into a deeper ground conflict. They say this war was launched without a clear plan or congressional backing, and instead of escalating, the focus should be on ending the conflict before it turns into another long, costly mistake.
- Others contend that the way the war is being presented, especially on social media, is starting to feel more like entertainment than reality, with clips edited like video games or movies. They argue that turning real combat into highlight reels risks downplaying the human cost and making people forget that actual lives are on the line.
- “Marines in the Strait of Hormuz won’t fix this war” –Jake Auchincloss, Boston Globe
- “White House 'gamifying' Iran war updates” –Scott Simon, NPR
- “Finance Isn’t Prepared for an Iran Crisis. It Should Be” –Bloomberg Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the Iran war is actually going better than people think, with fewer casualties and stronger early results than past conflicts. They say a lot of the panic is overblown, and this looks more like a controlled operation than another drawn-out disaster.
- Others contend that while the war has gone relatively smoothly so far, it’s still a delicate balance, with Trump trying to pressure Iran while keeping the door open to talks. They argue the US can’t afford to ease up too much, though, because that risks letting Iran keep using oil and instability as leverage.
- “The War Is Going Better Than You Think” –Bret Stephens, NY Times
- “The Fog of Diplomacy in Iran” –WSJ Editorial Board
- “Countering the media ‘no plan’ lies is another key battle for Team Trump” –NY Post Editorial Board
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