Using US ground troops against Iran could prove very costly, retired generals say

ABC News
March 27, 2026
3 min read

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Retired generals warn that deploying U.S. ground troops against Iran would substantially escalate conflict and increase American casualties.

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Retired generals have warned ABC News that deploying U.S. ground troops against Iran would substantially escalate military conflict and expose American forces to significant casualty risk. The assessment reflects concern within the military establishment about the potential costs of direct ground intervention in a conflict with Iran. A ground war against Iran would represent a major escalation beyond current U.S. military operations in the region, which have primarily involved air strikes and naval presence. The cautionary views from senior military figures carry weight in ongoing policy discussions about how far Washington is willing to go in confronting Iranian military capabilities and regional influence.

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