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The Pentagon is developing plans for a sustained ground operation inside Iran that could last several weeks, marking a significant step up in President Donald Trump’s effort to dismantle what remains of the Iranian regime, according to a new report.

Under the proposals being reviewed, thousands of U.S. Marines could be deployed to the region to carry out targeted missions involving both Special Operations units and traditional infantry forces, The Washington Post reported, citing individuals familiar with the discussions.

Talks about sending American troops into Iranian territory have been underway for several weeks, as military planners evaluate possible next phases of the conflict.

The ongoing U.S. military campaign entered its second month yesterday. The operation began with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28 that hit Iranian military targets and leadership figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials.

President Trump has not publicly confirmed whether he is considering the Pentagon’s plan or if he intends to authorize any aspect of it.

“It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the President has made a decision,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Washington Post.

While the proposed deployment would not amount to a full invasion, it would still expose American forces to potential attacks from Iranian military capabilities.

As part of the planning, approximately 10,000 additional U.S. troops were under consideration for deployment to the Middle East last week. These forces would reinforce the already sizable American presence in the Gulf and provide the administration with a wider range of military options.

If approved, the additional troops would join nearly 5,000 Marines and sailors currently stationed in the region, along with about 2,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

The 82nd Airborne Division is known for its rapid deployment capabilities and is routinely kept on standby to respond quickly to crises around the world, making it a central component in potential escalation scenarios.

It remains unclear where any incoming forces would be positioned. U.S. and allied airstrikes have already struck targets in Tehran as well as key military sites closer to the Persian Gulf, including Kharg Island.

According to former Pentagon official and Atlantic Council fellow Alex Plitsas, establishing a U.S. presence on Kharg Island — Iran’s main oil export terminal — would deal a serious financial blow to Tehran while also preventing attacks on vital infrastructure.

“It’s like taking a chess piece off Iran’s board and putting another bargaining chip in your pocket,” he said.

President Trump also issued a warning Thursday urging Iranian leaders to move quickly toward a negotiated end to the conflict.

“The Iranian negotiators are very different and ‘strange,’” the president posted on Truth Social. “They are ‘begging’ us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback, and yet they publicly state that they are only ‘looking at our proposal.’ WRONG!!!

“They better get serious soon, before it is too late,” Trump added, “because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”

Steven Gruzd, a respected journalist, researcher, and prominent member of Johannesburg’s Jewish community, was abducted and killed over the weekend in a shocking crime that has shaken the city.

Gruzd, 53, led the African Governance and Diplomacy Archives at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and was widely recognized as a leading authority in his area of expertise.

The incident began Friday night, when community security officials were alerted that Gruzd had gone missing. As concerns quickly grew that he had been kidnapped, a coordinated response was launched involving the community security organization, local security teams, and the South African Police, who began a large-scale search effort.

By early Saturday morning, authorities had taken five suspects into custody. Shortly afterward, Gruzd’s body was discovered in a secluded location on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Liron Sanders, CEO of the community security organization, said initial findings strongly indicate that the crime was an “express kidnapping” — a type of abduction that has become increasingly common in South Africa, typically carried out to extract quick cash or immediate ransom payments. Sanders emphasized that, at this stage, there is no indication that antisemitism or political motives played a role in the killing.

The SAIIA released a statement expressing grief over the loss: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Steven Gruzd, head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Program. Steven, an integral part of the institute, was known for his unwavering dedication to his work and his commitment to the policy community in Africa. We will miss his brilliant mind, his deep friendship, and his gentle spirit.”

{Matzav.com}