Topline
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended a possible ground operation in Iran, arguing President Donald Trump’s base should “understand” why it would be necessary—as preparations are reportedly underway for sending troops to Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
Hegseth said, “I don’t understand why the base—which they have already, they understand—wouldn’t have faith in his ability to execute on this . . . look at his track record,” when a reporter asked him to respond to concerns among some Republicans about a ground operation during a press briefing Tuesday.
Multiple Republican lawmakers have said they would oppose sending ground troops to Iran and several notable right-wing figures have expressed concerns about a ground invasion.
A recent Associated Press-NORC poll found just 20% of Republicans support deploying American ground troops.
Hegseth, who said he paid a secret visit to troops in the Middle East Saturday, didn’t rule out deploying ground troops, telling reporters, “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 and what you are not willing to do.”
Tangent
Earlier Tuesday, Trump criticized European allies for refusing to participate in the war, writing on Truth Social they need to “go get your own oil” from the Strait of Hormuz or buy it from the U.S., calling out the U.K. and France as “VERY UNHELPFUL.” Hegseth also said the U.S. shouldn’t be responsible for the key oil passage, which has been effectively closed since the start of the war. “Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy,” he said.
Key Background
The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, the Washington Post reported Sunday, noting the operation would likely involve raids by a mixture of Special Operations forces and conventional infantry troops. Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly considering a military operation to extract nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran, which would likely require troops to be deployed there for days or more, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Trump administration has claimed Iran is showing positive signs of a willingness to negotiate with the U.S., though Tehran has publicly denied the claims.
Further Reading
Trump Tells Allies To ‘Get Your Own Oil’ From Strait Of Hormuz Or Buy From U.S. (Forbes)
Steve Bannon Hesitant About Sending Ground Troops To Iran—A Move That Could Break Trump’s Base (Forbes)
Trump Boasts He’ll Blow Up Iran’s Power Plants And Oil Wells If Hormuz Strait Deal Not ‘Shortly Reached’ (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2026/03/31/hegseth-defends-sending-ground-troops-to-iran-i-dont-understand-why-the-base-would-oppose/
