Trump is considering committing ground troops to the Middle East

2026-03-20 13:26:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Several American media outlets are reporting – citing sources – that US President Donald Trump is considering the possibility of committing thousands of additional US soldiers to bolster operations in the Middle East, a decision that could give Trump additional options in the war against Iran.

The reports come as Trump himself denied on March 19 that he intended to deploy ground troops to the region, although he did not completely rule it out as an option.

"No troops will be deployed anywhere," he told reporters.

"Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. But, no. We'll do whatever is necessary."

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters news agency that "no decision has been made to deploy troops on the ground, but President Trump has all options open."

"The President is focused on achieving all of the objectives in Operation Epic Fury, destroying Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, destroying its navy, ensuring that terrorist offshoots cannot destabilize the region, and ensuring that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."

The Pentagon has declined to comment on this matter.

Tank defense, capture of Harg

However, reports continue to circulate. Reuters, citing four sources, including two US officials, said the additional troops would give Trump the ability to secure the sea route through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to sources, such an operation could be carried out by air and naval forces, but additional American troops would also be needed off the coast of Iran.

According to American officials with knowledge of these developments, the US administration is also considering the possibility of deploying ground troops to Iran's Harg, an island through which 90 percent of Iranian oil exports pass.

An official said that such an operation would be quite dangerous, considering that Iran has the capacity to strike the island with missiles and drones.

US forces carried out strikes against military targets on the island on March 13. On that day, Trump said the United States had destroyed all of the island's military assets, as well as its energy infrastructure. He had also threatened to strike oil infrastructure, which would severely damage Iran's economy and drive up global oil prices./ Rel