US forces in Iraq. Photo courtesy of the Nevada Office of Veterans Affairs.
As President Trump deploys more troops to the Middle East and reportedly weighs a ground invasion of Iran, it’s being reported that Israel will not commit any ground troops to the potential mission.
This comes as Trump threatens to escalate the war amid the deployment of thousands of additional troops and weighs his options to end the war or deploy boots on the ground. Trump has also given Iran until Monday, April 6, to stop blocking oil shipping in the Strait of Hormuz amid negotiations.
Trump said on Monday that he will escalate the war, targeting Iran’s energy and water infrastructure if they do not reach a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On the deployment of ground troops, Trump told reporters the day prior, “I just have lots of alternatives,” also noting, “we have tremendous numbers of ships over there.”
Trump later suggested that he will withdraw troops from the Middle East and force Europe, Asia, and the Gulf nations to deal with Iran’s blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after they refused his calls for help. “The U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us,” Trump said in a statement on Tuesday, offering to supply oil from the United States if the countries cannot “build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”
President Trump Pauses Iranian Energy Plant Destruction, Announces New Deadline
Now, reports that Israel has drawn a red line on a potential troop deployment if the US sends troops into Iran are causing some to question the US’s allyship with Israel and their partnership in this war.
Podcaster Patrick Bet-David responded to the report with co-host Vincent Oshana on Wednesday and demanded that Israel put up triple the number of troops in the case of a ground invasion.
“If I’m sending my guys, you gotta send your guys. If you don’t send your guys, I’m not sending my guys. Even the most logical player cannot sit there and say, ‘What are you talking about?’” Bet-David said. “I don’t even want it to be one for one. It’s got to be two-for-one, three-for-one, because this benefits you more than it benefits me. I know we’re partners, but it’s got to be a two-to-one or three-to-one situation when that’s taking place.”
WATCH:
According to Israeli media, Israeli officials said there will be no Israeli participation in a ground invasion outside of intelligence sharing, air support, and limited special operations support.
Per JFeed:
Channel 12 quoted official sources as stating explicitly: “In case of a U.S. ground operation in Iran, Israeli soldiers will not be participating on the ground.”
According to the report, any potential U.S. ground mission would be carried out exclusively by American forces. Israel would continue to provide airstrikes, intelligence sharing, and limited special-operations support, but it has drawn a firm red line against committing ground troops.
The announcement comes amid escalating U.S. pressure on Tehran, including President Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum delivered earlier today. Trump warned that if an agreement is not reached soon and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened immediately, the U.S. would “completely destroy all power generation stations, oil wells, Kharg Island, and perhaps also all desalination facilities.”
Israeli officials have repeatedly emphasized that while Jerusalem strongly supports the ongoing military campaign against Iran’s nuclear program and military capabilities, it has no intention of putting boots on the ground in Iranian territory.
The clarification is seen as an important signal both to Washington and to Tehran as the conflict enters what some Israeli analysts are calling the “endgame” phase.
The post “Israeli Soldiers will Not Be Participating on the Ground.” – Israeli Official Says Israel Will Not Provide Ground Troops if US Forces Invade Iran appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.