Is Washington seeking to force Tehran into negotiations or prepare for a further escalation of military operations? Moreover, the Pentagon is seeking to send up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the region, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing Department of Defense officials. If approved by Trump, the United States could soon have more than 17,000 ground troops positioned near Iran, according to the Journal. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday accused Washington of secretly plotting a ground attack despite talking publicly about negotiations. Diplomatic efforts continue, with Pakistan emerging as a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran, relaying messages and coordinating backchannel communications.

Source: The Star March 31, 2026 17:08 UTC