Trump administration keeps ‘boots on ground’ option open as Iran conflict intensifies - World

The White House has maintained a cautious approach to the escalating conflict with Iran, declining to rule out the possibility of deploying ground troops despite emphasizing that it is not part of the current military strategy. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated this while acknowledging the administration's focus on air and naval strikes as part of "Operation Epic Fury," which has targeted Iranian military infrastructure and eliminated key figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While officials maintain that ground troops are not currently under consideration, some lawmakers, such as Senator Richard Blumenthal, express concern about the possibility of escalation and the potential for American casualties.