WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms U.S. troops deployed to the Middle East could still be used in a ground operation, as the war in Iran passes the one-month mark.
Hegseth revealed Tuesday he made a visit over the weekend to U.S. forces in the Central Command region, a trip that had not been previously disclosed. He said the visit lasted several hours and that specific locations were withheld for security reasons, citing concerns troops could be targeted.
“I had a chance to bear witness. And I witnessed the best of America. I witnessed warriors,” he said.
Back at the Pentagon, Hegseth said the administration is continuing to pair military pressure with diplomatic outreach, including talks with what he described as a “new regime” in Iran.
“We don’t want to have to do more militarily than we have to. But I didn’t mean it flippantly when I said in the meantime we’ll negotiate with bombs,” he said. “Our job is to ensure that we compel Iran to realize that this new regime, this regime in charge is in a better place if they make that deal.”
Despite those negotiations, he made clear all military options remain on the table, including deploying ground troops.
“We’re not going to foreclose any option. You can’t fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground.”
The comments come as President Donald Trump has warned of potential strikes on Iran’s energy and infrastructure if a deal is not reached.
Military leaders, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, say any potential targets are reviewed through multiple layers of legal and humanitarian scrutiny, including risks to civilians.
“And we have numerous processes and system to carefully consider the whole range of considerations from civilian risk to legal considerations with any target,” Caine said.
Meanwhile, the president is also urging other nations to take a more active role. In a Truth Social post, Trump said countries facing fuel shortages should consider securing the Strait of Hormuz and strengthening their own defenses.
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