WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has declined to rule out sending American ground troops into Iran, as fighting between US-Israeli forces and Tehran expands across the Middle East.
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said he would not make a blanket commitment against deploying “boots on the ground,” adding that while such a move was “probably” unnecessary, he would not exclude it if deemed required. His remarks come as the conflict shows no immediate signs of de-escalation.
The US president later said at the White House that the military campaign aimed to halt what he described as Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons ambitions and reduce regional threats. He warned the confrontation could last longer than the initially anticipated timeframe of about a month.
Escalation across the region
Israel on Monday exchanged fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Iranian counterattacks targeted sites in Gulf states and a British military base in Cyprus. The broader escalation has affected energy markets, with international gas prices rising and global shares declining.
The Israeli military said it had launched a new “broad strike” in central Tehran. Explosions were reported in multiple parts of the Iranian capital.
Iran appointed Revolutionary Guards General Majid Ebnelreza as acting defence minister after his predecessor was killed in earlier Israeli-US strikes.
In Cyprus, at least one drone reportedly crashed near Britain’s RAF Akrotiri base, while two others were intercepted. Greece said it was deploying two frigates and two F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus amid heightened security concerns.
Gulf tensions and energy impact
Iran’s military said it launched cruise missiles at a US air base in Kuwait and targeted vessels in the Indian Ocean. QatarEnergy halted liquefied natural gas production after infrastructure in Qatar was hit. Reports also indicated that a tanker was struck off Oman and a vessel in Bahrain was hit by unidentified projectiles.
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The US embassy in Kuwait urged people to remain indoors and avoid travel to the mission.
Iranian security official Ali Larijani said Tehran would defend itself despite the costs, while the Revolutionary Guards claimed waves of missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets, including security sites in Tel Aviv, Haifa and east Jerusalem.
Casualties reported
The Iranian Red Crescent reported that 131 cities had been affected by US-Israeli strikes, with 555 people killed. Iranian officials also confirmed the deaths of three Revolutionary Guards members and five army personnel.
The United States has not provided updated casualty figures in this latest round of fighting.
As diplomatic efforts remain limited, the conflict continues to affect regional security, energy supplies and international markets.
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