US military readies plan for ground troops in Iran: Report

US military readies plan for ground troops in Iran: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 03/20/2026 - 18:37 President Donald Trump has not yet made a decision on the matter, the White House says A US Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, in support of the US-Israeli war on Iran, from an undisclosed location, on 7 March 2026 (US Navy via Reuters) Off The US Department of War has produced detailed plans involving the use of ground troops in the war on Iran, CBS News reported on Friday, citing unnamed officials. The plans include options for the president in scenarios where Iranians were captured and detained, as well as how to handle paramilitary forces. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CBS that it's normal procedure for the Pentagon to ensure Donald Trump has several options at his disposal, and that it "does not mean the president has made a decision" to deploy soldiers anywhere.