White House officials said Saturday night that the Pentagon was preparing for weeks of ground operations against Iran amid reports of thousands of Marines being deployed to the Middle East.
“If President Donald Trump approves the plans, such an effort would mark a new phase of the war that could be significantly more dangerous to U.S. troops than the first four weeks,” Washington Post reported, citing anonymous WH officials.
The potential ground operation is unlikely to turn into full invasion, but it could become “a dangerous new phase of the war” should President Donald Trump choose to escalate, according to the report.
Earlier on Saturday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said a Marines contingent arrived in the region to back the Operation Epic Fury.
The Amphibious Ready Group, consisting of 3,500 sailors and Marines, arrived aboard the USS Tripoli in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.
Three days ago, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that President Trump was prepared to unleash hell if Tehran balks at making a deal to end the war.
“If they (the Iranians) fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” she said at a press briefing.
— KUNA
