Hegseth Signals Possible US Ground Involvement in Iran

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to rule out deploying American ground troops in Iran as the U.S.-Israeli strikes target Iran’s conventional and nuclear programs, saying there is no fixed timetable for the operation. The Pentagon framed the mission as necessary and ongoing, contrasting with Trump’s pledge to avoid new wars. The conflict has already caused casualties, including four U.S. troops killed in Kuwait following a missile attack and a misfire that downed three U.S. F-15Es (crews survived). Despite the hostilities, officials stressed they won’t detail future moves.