The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has so far been fought largely through missiles and drones, but discussions in Washington have begun to include the possibility of limited ground operations. US President Donald Trump has privately expressed serious interest in deploying a small number of American troops inside Iran for specific missions, NBC News reported, citing officials familiar with the discussions.

According to the report, the conversations with Trump’s inner circle and Republican allies outside the White House have focused on the idea of a limited deployment rather than a large-scale invasion, with troops potentially assigned to narrowly defined strategic tasks.

In a separate report, Axios said the United States and Israel have discussed the possibility of sending special forces into Iran at a later stage of the war to secure the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Such an operation could involve troops entering heavily fortified underground facilities where the material is believed to be stored.

LIMITED GROUND TROOP OPTION UNDER DISCUSSION

One key concern among US officials is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The material — estimated at about 450 kilograms enriched to 60 per cent purity — could be converted into weapons-grade uranium within weeks if further enriched.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at the possibility of ground operation during a congressional briefing when asked how Iran’s uranium would be secured. “People are going to have to go and get it,” he said, without specifying which country’s forces might carry out the mission.

The Trump administration has reportedly examined two potential options: removing the uranium from Iran altogether or sending nuclear specialists to dilute it on site. Any mission would likely involve highly trained operators alongside nuclear experts, potentially including scientists from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

TRUMP SAYS OPTIONS REMAIN OPEN

Donald Trump has avoided ruling out the use of ground troops but has also suggested that a major deployment is unlikely. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said ground troops would only be used “for a very good reason.”

“If we ever did that, (the Iranians) would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight on the ground level,” Trump said.

In a separate interview with the New York Post, he also addressed the possibility of deploying troops, saying, “I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground.”

However, he admitted that such a step may not be necessary.

The ongoing war has already resulted in casualties among US forces. Since hostilities began, six American service members have been killed and 18 others wounded in Iranian counterattacks, according to the Pentagon. At least 1,332 people have been reported killed in Iran since the start of the joint US and Israeli military campaign launched on February 28.

Meanwhile, Israel already has forces on the ground in Lebanon. It issued a massive evacuation order for southern Lebanon, extending roughly 27 km (16 miles) into the country.

Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the objective in Lebanon is to disarm Hezbollah, a close ally of Iran, and that operations will continue until that goal is achieved.