President Donald J. Trump addresses U.S. forces, coalition partners and Qatari citizens at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, May 15, 2025. This marks Trump’s first official visit to the Middle East during his second presidency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Moriarty)
President Donald Trump is making one thing crystal clear, while he believes U.S. troops on the ground in Iran are not necessary right now, absolutely nothing is off the table as tensions escalate and the clock ticks down on Tehran.
In remarks to ABC News, Trump delivered a blunt message to the Iranian regime: make a deal, or face devastating consequences.
“If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t, we’re blowing up the whole country,” Trump said.
“Very little” is off limits, he added.
Spoke with President Trump. He told me the conflict should be over in days, not weeks but if no deal is made he’s blowing up the whole country with “very little” off the table.
“If happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t, we’re blowing up the whole country,” he said.
I asked if…
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) April 5, 2026
Trump dismissed earlier timelines suggesting a longer runway for negotiations, instead signaling that events could reach a decisive conclusion imminently.
“It should be wrapped up in days, not weeks,” Trump said.
“No sane group of people could stand the punishment that’s going to rain down on them if it’s not.”
I asked the president if his 2 to 3 week timeline still holds.
“It should be days, not weeks,” Trump said.
“It should be wrapped up in days because no sane group of people could stand the punishment that’s going to rain down on them if it’s not,” he said.
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) April 5, 2026
While Trump emphasized that U.S. ground troops are not currently necessary, he refused to tie his hands, leaving open the possibility of escalation if diplomacy fails.
“I don’t think it’s necessary, but I don’t rule anything out.”
The president also told me he doesn’t think American troops on the ground is necessary as of right now.
“I don’t think it’s necessary but I don’t rule anything out.”
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) April 5, 2026
NEW: I just spoke briefing w/ President Trump on the phone. He said he is NOT ruling out sending ground troops into Iran if they do not make a deal. He also said no infrastructure targets are off the table for U.S. strikes if no deal is reached
Story incoming on @thehill…
— Julia Manchester (@JuliaManch) April 5, 2026
It can be recalled that last month, President Trump was reportedly weighing the deployment of ground troops to Iran along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz or Kharg Island.
Citing four sources, Reuters reports that thousands of ground troops could be deployed to secure the Strait of Hormuz, take over Iran’s oil-exporting capabilities on Kharg Island, or to contain Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile. However, a ground invasion is likely not imminent.
“There has been no decision to send ground troops at this time, but President Trump wisely keeps all options at his disposal,” one Trump Administration official said.
“The president is focused on achieving all of the defined objectives of Operation Epic Fury: destroy Iran’s ballistic missile capacity, annihilate their navy, ensure their terrorist proxies cannot destabilize the region, and guarantee that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.”
Meanwhile, it’s being reported that Israel will not commit any ground troops to the potential mission.
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 post Trump Won’t Rule Out Boots on the Ground in Iran — Says Troops ‘Not Necessary Right Now’ but EVERYTHING Is on the Table appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.