WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that sending American ground forces into Iran is not currently under consideration, describing the idea as a “waste of time” while claiming that Iran has already suffered significant military losses.
In a telephone interview with NBC, Trump dismissed remarks made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had warned that any US or Israeli ground invasion would lead to disaster for invading forces. Trump said Iran had already “lost everything they can lose,” including major military capabilities.
The US president also indicated that he supports removing Iran’s existing leadership structure, saying Washington wants to act quickly rather than allow a prolonged rebuilding process. He added that he has ideas about a possible future leader for Iran but declined to reveal any names.
Earlier, Trump suggested the United States would have to be involved in selecting Iran’s next leader after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed during the early stages of the ongoing conflict following joint US and Israeli strikes.
Heavy attacks were reported in Tehran as Israel announced a new phase of its military campaign targeting what it described as Iranian regime infrastructure. The war, now entering its seventh day, has expanded beyond Iran and Israel, with Iranian strikes reported against countries including Cyprus, Turkey, Azerbaijan and several Gulf states.
The violence has also spread to the Indian Ocean, where a US submarine reportedly sank an Iranian naval vessel near the coast of Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Trump voiced support for Iranian Kurdish militant groups operating from Iraqi Kurdistan, encouraging them to intensify attacks against Iranian security forces along the Iran-Iraq border. Security officials reported that Iranian drone strikes targeted opposition camps in the region, further escalating tensions.
Despite Trump’s remarks about Iran’s leadership, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that there has been no change in Washington’s official military objectives in Iran, stressing that US forces remain focused on specific strategic targets.
The conflict has also had economic repercussions. Rising oil prices and disruptions to global energy supplies have pushed fuel costs higher and triggered a drop in US stock markets. Countries reliant on global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies are experiencing shortages, while logistics and air transport networks face significant disruptions.
In the Caucasus region, Azerbaijan warned of retaliation after drones crossed its border and injured several people in the Nakhchivan region. President Ilham Aliyev condemned the incident, calling it an act of aggression.
In Lebanon, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah warned Israeli residents near the border to evacuate, pledging retaliation against Israeli military actions.
US officials, including Admiral Brad Cooper, said American forces are prepared for a prolonged military campaign under Operation Epic Fury, which targets Iran’s missile systems, production facilities, and naval assets. According to the Pentagon, US forces have already destroyed dozens of Iranian ships and missile launch systems.
The human toll continues to mount, with reports indicating more than 1,200 people have been killed in Iran, including schoolchildren in a deadly attack on a primary school in Minab. In Lebanon, dozens have also been killed, while thousands have fled southern areas of Beirut following Israeli evacuation warnings.
