US Boots On Ground In Iran? Lessons From Iraq, Afghanistan Raise Doubts

Last Updated:March 30, 2026, 13:29 IST

The US is reportedly planning to deploy troops for targeted ground operations in Iran, including raids near the Strait of Hormuz and the possible seizure of Kharg Island.

A US Navy ship carrying 2,500 American troops has reached West Asia amid reports that the United States is preparing for a ground invasion of Iran, which would mark a dramatic escalation in the ongoing war that has disrupted global oil markets and international travel.

Despite reports of talks for a ceasefire, the US is reportedly preparing contingency plans for targeted ground operations in Iran, including potential raids near the Strait of Hormuz and the possible seizure of Kharg Island. However, these plans are highly risky and do not guarantee a decisive outcome.

In the past, the US has deployed thousands of troops in its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While it achieved some of its goals, such as the removal of Saddam Hussein or the killing of Osama Bin Laden, its broader goals remained unmet. A ground invasion in Iran would risk damage to the Strait of Hormuz and possibly result in US casualties.

US Troops In Afghanistan

The US and NATO allies deployed thousands of forces into Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. At its peak in 2011, the US had approximately 100,000 troops across at least 10 military bases from Bagram to Kandahar.

From 2001-2021, the United States deployed around 800,000 troops in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and rebuild core institutions of the Afghan state. The US increased troops to protect the Afghan population from Taliban attacks. However, insurgent attacks and civilian casualties remained high.

The US withdrew all of its forces from Afghanistan in 2021 after an agreement with the Taliban under President Joe Biden. While the US left Al-Qaeda severely weakened, it was unable to remove the Taliban, which returned to power in 2021. The Afghan government collapsed soon after, and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. The US lost a total of 2,459 troops from 2001 to 2021.

US Troops In Iraq

The US-led coalition invaded Iraq in 2003 as part of its Global War on Terror, after George W Bush’s administration argued that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and posed a serious threat to global security. At least 250,000 troops were deployed in the initial phase of the attack.

A combined force of troops from the US, Britain and more managed to quickly defeat the Iraqi military and capture Saddam Hussein, before his hanging. However, Hussein’s removal was followed by a violent insurgency against the US-led occupation in Iraq, prompting Washington to deploy an additional 170,000 troops.

The US agreed to withdraw troops from Iraq, a process completed in 2011 under President Barack Obama. While the US managed to remove Saddam Hussein from power and establish a new Iraqi government, no evidence was found that Iraq was building WMDs, while fuelling years of sectarian violence. The US also lost some 4,500 troops.

US Strategy In Iran

Past US wars have demonstrated that while short-term objectives were often achieved, the broader, long-term goals largely remained unfulfilled. In the context of Iraq and Afghanistan, it is also important to understand that these operations were aimed at long-term occupation, rather than limited ground operations like Nicolas Maduro’s capture in Venezuela.

According to the Washington Post, the Pentagon is currently drawing up plans that stop short of a full-scale invasion but may involve Special Operations forces and conventional infantry units conducting swift raids on Iranian military infrastructure, rather than a prolonged occupation of territory.

The US has already moved significant military assets closer to the region, including Marine expeditionary units capable of rapid deployment and amphibious operations. In total, around 50,000 US troops are operating in the region.

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