President Donald Trump sharply dismissed a reporter’s question about deploying U.S. ground troops to Iran amid ongoing White House discussions with Iranian officials. Thousands of U.S. Marines recently deployed to the Middle East, with over 4,000 aboard the USS Tripoli and USS Boxer heading toward the region.
Troops Deployment Sparks Question
Before boarding Air Force One on Monday morning, a reporter pressed Trump on reports of Marines departing San Diego last week. ‘It’s been reported that there are Marines that left California, left San Diego last week. At the end of the week. Why are they headed there now?’ the reporter asked.
Trump recoiled and responded: ‘Well, let me ask you this. If you were in my position and I asked you that question, do you really believe I’d give you that? It’s a crazy question.’
Trump has consistently avoided detailing upcoming military actions, citing risks to operational security.
Negotiations and Bombing Warning
Trump revealed that U.S. officials have started talks with Iranian representatives to end the conflict, though Iranian officials denied any such contact. He warned that if negotiations fail and Iran refuses to cooperate, U.S. forces will continue ‘bombing our little hearts out.’
In a social media post Monday morning, Trump stated that the U.S. would pause strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure while pursuing a deal. Iranian officials quickly refuted this, insisting no discussions occurred.
Trump later emphasized: ‘I didn’t call, they called; they want to make a deal.’ He noted that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with Iranian officials on Sunday.
‘We have had very, very strong talks. We’ll see where they lead. We have major points of agreement… They went, I would say, perfectly. I would say that if they carry through with that, it’ll end that problem, that conflict,’ Trump said.
Contact with New Leadership
The administration has not yet reached out to Iran’s new ayatollah, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader reportedly injured in U.S. strikes. ‘We have not heard from the son,’ Trump told reporters.
