The "Ground Option": Pentagon Prepares for Targeted Operations in Iran; USS Tripoli Arrives with Thousands of Marines

U.S. officials revealed on Sunday, March 29, 2026, that the Pentagon is finalizing plans for "weeks of ground operations" in Iran. According to the Washington Post, these maneuvers would not constitute a full-scale invasion but would instead focus on surgical strikes by Special Operations and conventional infantry units. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt emphasized that while President Trump seeks a deal, he remains "ready to unleash hell" if Tehran persists with its nuclear ambitions.

The military buildup accelerated Saturday with the arrival of the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli in the Middle East, leading a group of 3,500 sailors and Marines. Despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s optimism that war objectives could be met within two weeks without boots on the ground, reports suggest Trump is considering deploying at least 10,000 additional troops to provide a decisive edge.