Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Pentagon reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran
Your Navy
Pentagon reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran
By J.D. Simkins
Mar 29, 2026, 10:35 AM

U.S. Marines with the 31st MEU operate an amphibious combat vehicle during exercise Iron Fist 26 on Okinawa, Japan, March 4, 2026. (Lance Cpl. Eadan Avramidis/Marine Corps)
The Pentagon is putting together plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran as U.S. forces amass in the region, the Washington Post reported.
Citing multiple U.S. officials, the Post report suggested ground operations could involve both conventional infantry and special operations elements, but would not yet rise to the level of a full-scale invasion.
Decisions on whether or not to green light operations, which would put U.S. troops at substantially more risk to Iranian threats, now rest with President Donald Trump.
The Posts report comes as U.S. military assets continue to flood the region. On Friday, U.S. Marines and sailors assigned to the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group arrived in U.S. Central Command waters.
The group, which is led by the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and includes the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed earlier this month from its homeport of Sasebo, Japan.
{snip}
Pentagon reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran
By J.D. Simkins
Mar 29, 2026, 10:35 AM

U.S. Marines with the 31st MEU operate an amphibious combat vehicle during exercise Iron Fist 26 on Okinawa, Japan, March 4, 2026. (Lance Cpl. Eadan Avramidis/Marine Corps)
The Pentagon is putting together plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran as U.S. forces amass in the region, the Washington Post reported.
Citing multiple U.S. officials, the Post report suggested ground operations could involve both conventional infantry and special operations elements, but would not yet rise to the level of a full-scale invasion.
Decisions on whether or not to green light operations, which would put U.S. troops at substantially more risk to Iranian threats, now rest with President Donald Trump.
The Posts report comes as U.S. military assets continue to flood the region. On Friday, U.S. Marines and sailors assigned to the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group arrived in U.S. Central Command waters.
The group, which is led by the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and includes the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, departed earlier this month from its homeport of Sasebo, Japan.
{snip}
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pentagon reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
6 hrs ago
OP
I'm sure the people who completely fucked up and started a war they couldn't win
RockRaven
6 hrs ago
#3
I hope they don't go. If they do, I hope they've come up with drone counter measures.
surfered
6 hrs ago
#4
usonian
(25,220 posts)1. Vote: Iranistan or Afghaniran
Iran is laying mines because Epstein and Trump laid minors. NEVER FORGET THIS.
SamKnause
(14,894 posts)2. This is fucking insane !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RockRaven
(19,333 posts)3. I'm sure the people who completely fucked up and started a war they couldn't win
will make really good and effective plans for using ground forces now.
It isn't like we just saw them engage in a totally avoidable clusterfuck whose effects are only beginning to manifest as festering wounds on global society. Nope, no reason for skepticism at all!
surfered
(13,431 posts)4. I hope they don't go. If they do, I hope they've come up with drone counter measures.
The Russia/Ukraine ground war is all about drones both for surveillance and attacks.