Ground Campaign in Iran Could Be Needed, Trump Says

President Donald Trump said Tuesday evening that a ground campaign in Iran could be necessary to achieve U.S. objectives. Asked whether air operations alone could prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, he said U.S. aims were largely completed but declined to rule out ground forces, especially to secure enriched uranium. Trump said other actors might conduct the ground campaign, without identifying them, and separately said he would consider an invasion if appropriate. He said U.S. forces had struck Kharg Island while avoiding its oil facilities, citing the world economy, and asserted Iran would need roughly 20 years to rebuild if operations stopped now.