Pentagon Plans Weeks-Long Ground Operations in Iran as Trump Weighs Next Move

By: Shawn
‎The Pentagon is reportedly laying the groundwork for prolonged ground operations inside Iran, marking a significant escalation tied to President Donald Trump’s objective of dismantling what remains of the Iranian regime.
‎
‎The Pentagon is preparing extended ground operations in Iran, with thousands of US troops potentially deploying as Trump reviews military options.
‎Getty Images
‎
‎According to a report citing sources, thousands of US Marines could be sent to the Middle East to carry out raids involving both Special Operations units and conventional infantry forces. Discussions among officials about deploying troops into Iran have been ongoing for several weeks.
‎
‎This development follows the continuation of American military activity, which entered its second month after joint US-Israel strikes on February 28. Those attacks targeted Iranian military infrastructure and leadership, resulting in the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with around 40 high-ranking officials.
‎
‎Despite the preparations, Trump has not publicly confirmed whether he supports or intends to authorize any aspect of the Pentagon’s proposal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that planning does not equate to a final decision, stating that the Pentagon’s role is to provide the president with a range of options.
‎
‎While the proposed troop deployment would not constitute a full-scale invasion, it would still expose American forces to potential threats from Iranian weaponry. Recent considerations included sending approximately 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East, further strengthening the already sizable US presence in the Gulf.
‎
‎This would build on the nearly 5,000 Marines and sailors currently stationed in the region, alongside about 2,000 troops from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Known for its rapid deployment capabilities, the 82nd Airborne is frequently placed on high alert due to its readiness for global missions.
‎
‎The exact landing locations for any incoming troops remain uncertain. Recent joint airstrikes have struck targets in Tehran as well as other strategic sites near the Gulf, including Kharg Island.
‎
‎Former Pentagon official Alex Plitsas suggested that securing Kharg Island—Iran’s primary oil export hub—could significantly impact the country’s financial resources while preventing attacks on vital infrastructure. He compared such a move to removing a key piece from a chessboard while gaining leverage in negotiations.
‎
‎Meanwhile, Trump has issued a warning to Iranian leaders, urging them to engage seriously in negotiations to end the conflict. In a post on Truth Social, he criticized Iranian negotiators as “very different” and “strange,” claiming they were privately seeking a deal despite publicly maintaining a cautious stance.
‎
‎He added that Iran should act quickly, cautioning that failure to reach an agreement could lead to irreversible consequences.

TRENDING!

Germany Can’t Find Workers — So It’s Hiring From India

Image
‎Germany is continuing to face a shortage of skilled workers as older employees retire and too few younger people step in to replace them. To address this growing challenge, the country is increasingly looking abroad, particularly to India, for new talent. ‎ ‎For Handirk von Ungern-Sternberg, the process began in February 2021 with an unexpected email from India. The message explained that there were many young, motivated individuals interested in vocational training and asked whether there might be opportunities in Germany. ‎ ‎Germany faces a workforce crisis as retirements rise, prompting businesses to recruit young Indian workers to fill gaps across trades and industries. ‎Getty Images ‎At the time, von Ungern-Sternberg was working at the Freiburg Chamber of Skilled Crafts in southwest Germany. The organization represents a wide range of trades, including bricklayers, carpenters, butchers, and bakers, along with the companies that employ them. ‎ ‎The email arrived at a m...
Read more

100 Essential Customer Service Quiz Questions for Quick Service Restaurant Cashiers

Image
Providing excellent customer service is critical for cashiers in quick service restaurants (QSRs). From greeting customers and taking accurate orders to handling payments and maintaining hygiene standards, cashiers play a key role in creating a positive dining experience. To ensure your team is prepared for every scenario, this article presents 100 essential quiz questions designed to test knowledge, improve skills, and reinforce best practices in fast-paced restaurant environments. — Courtesy of The Place Here are 100 customer service quiz questions tailored specifically for cashiers in a quick service restaurant (QSR) — covering customer interaction, cash handling, service speed, teamwork, hygiene, and brand standards. CUSTOMER INTERACTION & COMMUNICATION ‎1. What is the first thing you should do when a customer approaches the counter? ‎2. How should you greet a customer during peak hours? ‎3. What tone of voice should you use when speaking to customers? 4. Ho...
Read more

‎Which Jobs Could AI Replace? Anthropic Research Shows White-Collar Work Faces the Greatest Exposure

Image
History shows that major inventions often eliminate entire professions. The spread of electricity removed the need for lamplighters and elevator operators, while the rise of computers gradually replaced jobs such as switchboard operators, data entry clerks, and file clerks. ‎ ‎Anthropic analysis reveals AI could perform most tasks in finance, tech, and administration, raising warnings about hiring slowdowns and potential risks to white-collar workers. ‎‘Labor market impacts of AI: A new measure and early evidence’/Anthropic ‎Artificial intelligence may now be preparing to reshape another segment of the workforce. ‎ ‎A new report from Anthropic examines which types of work artificial intelligence is already performing and which tasks it could theoretically handle in the future. The findings suggest that the technology’s potential influence on professional jobs is far larger than its current use. ‎ ‎The company, created by former researchers from OpenAI and known for developi...
Read more

Donald Trump Says He’s 'Glad' Robert Mueller Has Died

Image
‎Donald Trump publicly celebrated the death of Robert Mueller on Saturday, posting that he was “glad” the former FBI director and special counsel had passed away. ‎ ‎“Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after MS Now reported the passing of the 81-year-old former FBI Director. ‎ ‎Trump celebrated Robert Mueller’s death on Truth Social, calling him a threat to innocent people and relishing a longtime feud with the former FBI director. ‎CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images ‎ ‎Mueller, who revealed last year that he had Parkinson’s disease, had long been a target of Trump’s attacks. While Mueller’s investigation did not conclude that Trump’s 2016 campaign actively coordinated with Russian entities attempting to influence the election, the probe cast a shadow over much of Trump’s first term. It led to multiple indictments, resulting in eight guilty pleas and convictions at trial for high-profi...
Read more

Work From Anywhere: 10 Highest-Paying Remote Jobs and How to Get Hired

Image
‎Work-from-anywhere roles are increasingly appealing to professionals who want the freedom to live, travel, or relocate without being tied to a specific workplace. ‎ ‎While many remote jobs still require employees to remain within certain regions due to legal and tax considerations, a smaller category of positions allows individuals to work entirely remotely from any country or time zone. ‎ ‎Only 5% of remote jobs let you work from anywhere. See the top roles, salaries, and expert tips to land these rare, flexible positions in 2025. ‎Getty Images ‎FlexJobs career expert Toni Frana describes these roles as offering exceptional flexibility, though they demand a proven ability to maintain high performance in independent, remote environments. ‎ ‎In a report published on January 27, FlexJobs reviewed data from over 60,000 companies in its 2025 database to determine where such opportunities are most prevalent. The analysis identified five key sectors leading in work-from-anywhere...
Read more

Trump Says Iran Agreed to No Nuclear Weapons as Talks Continue

Image
‎Donald Trump has reiterated that Iran must permanently abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, claiming that Tehran has already agreed to such terms. He stressed that this condition is central to halting ongoing US military operations. ‎ As US-Iran negotiations approach, Trump insists Tehran must give up nuclear materials while the Pentagon prepares troop deployment for potential conflict escalation. ‎AP ‎ ‎Despite these assertions, Iranian authorities have not publicly acknowledged any agreement and have rejected claims of direct talks with Washington. ‎ ‎The comments come at a time when both countries are preparing for renewed negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire. Simultaneously, contingency plans for a large-scale military operation are being put in place in case discussions break down. ‎ ‎Trump indicated that dialogue is taking place with influential figures, suggesting that Iran is highly motivated to finalize a deal. He described their approach as rational, exp...
Read more

Trump DOJ Files Lawsuit Against Harvard Over Antisemitism Allegations

Image
‎The administration of Donald Trump has intensified its ongoing dispute with Harvard University as the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit accusing the institution of failing to confront antisemitism on campus. ‎ ‎Filed in a Massachusetts federal court, the legal action argues that Harvard’s leadership did not adequately respond to concerns about discrimination, prompting the government to consider freezing current grants and reclaiming previously distributed funding. The Justice Department stated that such shortcomings cannot be accepted and urged the court to enforce compliance with federal civil rights laws while enabling recovery of substantial taxpayer الأموال allocated to the university. ‎ ‎The Trump administration sues Harvard, alleging failure to address antisemitism, seeking compliance with civil rights law and recovery of federal funds. ‎Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP ‎The lawsuit also seeks stricter enforcement measures, including requiring Harvard to involve ...
Read more

Iranian Leaders Enforce Mass Arrests and Internet Blackout to Crush Unrest

Image
‎Iranian leaders are enforcing strict measures to deter any emerging protests, relying on arrests, threats, and heightened surveillance. ‎ ‎More than 500 individuals have reportedly been detained since the conflict began. Authorities allege those arrested shared information with media organizations or hostile entities, according to Iran’s police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan. ‎ ‎Iranian leaders impose arrests, killings, and threats to halt protests, even as airstrikes weaken security forces and disrupt internal control systems. ‎AFP via Getty Images  ‎ ‎Among those detained are individuals accused of recording airstrikes, with some reportedly arrested for taking photos or videos. At least 11 people have also been killed over claims of monarchist sympathies tied to the exiled heir of Iran’s former ruler. ‎ ‎Security enforcement has intensified across Tehran, where checkpoints have been installed to inspect vehicles. Armed personnel, often in plain clothes and with concealed id...
Read more

‎Trump’s Undisclosed Ex-President Conversation on Iran Faces Immediate Denials

Image
‎A statement made by Donald Trump regarding a supposed private exchange with a former U.S. president has been challenged by representatives of his predecessors. ‎ ‎Trump explained that an unnamed ex-president had confided in him, expressing regret over not confronting Iran during their time in office. He presented the account as part of his broader justification for his current approach, which he says has been ongoing for more than two weeks. ‎ ‎A claim by Donald Trump about a former president regretting inaction on Iran is disputed as aides to Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Biden deny any contact. ‎Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP ‎Yet aides connected to Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden stated that none of them have had recent discussions with Trump. ‎ ‎The president chose not to reveal who he was referring to, telling reporters that naming the individual would be inappropriate and potentially damaging. ‎ ‎He initially shared the story while speaking about th...
Read more

Robert Mueller, Who Led Russia Probe Into 2016 Election, Dies at 81

Image
‎Robert Mueller, a central figure in U.S. law enforcement and the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, has died at 81. His family confirmed his death to The New York Times without specifying the cause. It had been disclosed the previous year that he was living with Parkinson’s Disease, diagnosed in 2021. ‎ ‎Robert Mueller, ex-FBI director and leader of the Trump-Russia investigation, has died at 81. His career spanned war service, justice, and politics. ‎Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News ‎His role as special counsel began in 2017 after President Donald Trump removed FBI Director James Comey. Although Trump had earlier explored appointing Mueller to lead the bureau following the 2016 election, term restrictions ruled that out. Responsibility for the Russia probe was instead handed to Mueller by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, while Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself. ‎ ‎At the outset, Mueller’s selection drew bipartisan approval,...
Read more