U.S. won't rule out sending ground troops into Iran

"Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday would not rule out the possibility of sending American ground troops to Iran or articulate the Trump administration's exit strategy as the Pentagon attempts to secure a quick, decisive victory while limiting U.S. bloodshed."

"Six U.S. service members have died as a result of Iranian counterstrikes, officials said, and three advanced aircraft have been lost. Trump told reporters at the White House later Monday that the U.S. military had projected that the operation could take four to five weeks but 'we have the capability to go far longer than that.'"

"But there are signs that the military's needs already are evolving and that the conflict could become more costly and drawn out than the president perhaps had anticipated."

The Pentagon is conducting a major military campaign against Iran's arsenal while acknowledging it cannot intercept all incoming attacks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the administration will not rule out sending ground troops to Iran and declined to articulate an exit strategy. The operation, now in its third day with U.S. and Israeli forces attacking Iranian military infrastructure, has already resulted in six U.S. service member deaths and three advanced aircraft losses. President Trump indicated the operation could take four to five weeks, though the military has capability for longer duration. Additional personnel, including tactical aviation units, are being deployed to the region. Military needs are evolving, suggesting the conflict could become more costly and protracted than initially anticipated.

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