Washington: A senior U.S. senator has warned that the United States may be edging closer to deploying ground forces inside Iran, raising fears of a wider and longer conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking after a classified briefing with national security officials, Senator Richard Blumenthal said he was increasingly concerned that current military operations could expand beyond air and naval strikes to include American troops on Iranian soil. He noted that lawmakers were not given clear assurances that ground deployment would be avoided.
The warning comes amid escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran, following weeks of airstrikes and missile exchanges involving U.S. forces and Iranian targets. While officials maintain that the primary focus remains on limited military objectives, several senators said the briefings failed to define a clear strategy or exit plan.
The Pentagon has stated that there are currently no American ground troops operating inside Iran. However, defense officials have declined to rule out the possibility if conditions on the battlefield change. They argue that all options must remain available to protect U.S. interests and regional allies.
President Donald Trump has also avoided giving firm guarantees against a ground operation. In recent remarks, he said the administration prefers to rely on air power and regional partners but would take “whatever steps are necessary” if the situation deteriorates.
Lawmakers from both major parties have expressed concern that the conflict could mirror past wars in the region, where limited missions expanded into prolonged ground engagements. Some senators warned that deploying troops without explicit congressional authorization could trigger political and legal challenges at home.
Analysts say sending U.S. forces into Iran would significantly raise the stakes of the conflict, increasing the risk of regional instability and civilian casualties. Iran has already warned that any foreign troops entering its territory would face strong resistance.
For now, U.S. officials insist there is no decision to send troops into Iran. But the lack of clear limits on military action has intensified debate in Washington, with growing calls for transparency and a defined endgame to prevent deeper involvement in the war.
