Trump says ‘not putting troops’ in Iran, claims leadership ‘gone’ as Mideast conflict intensifies

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States would not deploy ground troops in Iran despite the escalating conflict, even as he claimed Tehran’s leadership had been effectively dismantled and suggested the war could end soon.

Speaking during a meeting in Washington with Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi, Trump struck a mix of restraint and confidence about the trajectory of the conflict.

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“Not putting troops” in Iran, Trump said, signalling that Washington intends to avoid a ground invasion even as military operations continue.

The US president also indicated that the impact of ongoing strikes had not been as severe as anticipated, adding, “Thought impact of Iran would be worse, will be over with soon.”

In a striking claim about the state of Iran’s leadership amid the conflict, Trump said, “Iran leadership is gone,” without elaborating on specific individuals or structures.

Also read: US arms Gulf allies with $16.46B arsenal as Iran conflict heats up

He further suggested internal turmoil in Tehran, remarking, “They are looking for new leaders again,” pointing to what he implied was a leadership vacuum following sustained military pressure.

In a parallel development, the United States has moved to reinforce its regional partners, approving military sales worth $16.46 billion to United Arab Emirates and Kuwait -- two Gulf nations on the frontlines of the ongoing Iran conflict.

The decision follows Iran’s retaliation against a large-scale US-Israeli air campaign launched late last month, with Tehran firing missiles and drones that caused casualties and significant damage across parts of the Gulf. Both the UAE and Kuwait have since mobilised substantial military resources to counter the attacks and shore up their defences.

The arms package appears to reveal Washington’s effort to strengthen the defensive capabilities of its Gulf allies as tensions continue to escalate across the region, even as it rules out deploying ground troops in Iran.