Trump Dismisses Troop Deployment Speculations Amid Middle East Tensions

In a meeting on Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, President Donald Trump confronted the increasing rumors about a potential ground invasion in the Middle East.

When reporters inquired about the possibility of sending more military personnel to the region, Trump responded firmly: “No. We’re not sending troops anywhere.”

This statement comes shortly after Operation Epic Fury, a significant air and sea operation conducted by the U.S. and Israel that focused on both Iranian leaders and critical Iranian infrastructure.

Trump has consistently expressed a desire to steer clear of the “forever wars,” a criticism he made during his election campaign. However, he did convey some strategic uncertainty. While he mentioned he has the authority to send troops if needed, he wouldn’t specify any plans publicly.

“If so, I would never tell you. But I’m not going to send troops,” he emphasized.

Recently, the Department of Defense announced the deployment of Amphibious Ready Groups and Marine Expeditionary Units, usually comprising around 5,000 Marines along with various naval vessels.

Maintaining an optimistic view of the ongoing conflict, Trump claimed Operation Epic Fury had largely achieved its main goal of weakening Iran’s military presence. He suggested that the intense combat phase might soon conclude.

President Trump reinforced his belief on Thursday that “it will be over soon,” asserting, “We’ve wiped them out—pretty much everything we had to kill, including the leadership. Their navy is gone, their air force is gone, their anti-aircraft equipment is gone. We can fly wherever we want, and no one will even shoot at us.”

Meanwhile, a recent Ipsos Quincy Institute poll revealed that 58% of Trump voters from the 2024 election are against deploying U.S. troops to Iran, with 41% in favor. The primary concern stemmed from economic factors, as 55% of participants noted that the ongoing conflict is “driving up gas prices.”