Trump Dismisses Iran Ground Invasion Talk as ‘Waste of Time’ Amid Escalating Middle East War
By Tahir Shah :
U.S. President Donald Trump has said it would be a “waste of time” to consider sending American ground troops into Iran, dismissing warnings from Iranian officials as the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel continues to intensify.
Speaking in a telephone interview with NBC News on Thursday, Trump rejected comments made by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had warned that any U.S. or Israeli ground invasion would end in disaster for the invading forces.
“It’s a waste of time. They’ve lost everything. They’ve lost their navy. They’ve lost everything they can lose,” Trump said, adding that Araghchi’s statement about being ready for an invasion was a “wasted comment.”
Trump signals desire for leadership change in Iran
Trump also indicated that he favours a rapid removal of Iran’s current leadership structure following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes at the start of the conflict.
“We want to go in and clean out everything quickly,” Trump said, adding that Washington does not want a situation where a new leadership structure takes a decade to rebuild.
The U.S. president suggested he had ideas for a potential new leader in Iran but declined to name any individual. He also dismissed speculation that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could succeed his father, calling him a “lightweight”.
Earlier in the week, Trump said the United States would likely be involved in shaping Iran’s next leadership following the assassination of the longtime supreme leader.
Heavy strikes reported in Tehran
Meanwhile, heavy explosions were reported in Tehran on Friday after Israel announced it had begun targeting what it described as “regime infrastructure” in a new phase of the war.
Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, said the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign had entered a more aggressive stage aimed at dismantling Iran’s military capabilities and weakening the ruling system.
Zamir warned that the campaign would “further dismantle the regime and its military capabilities,” hinting that additional operations were planned but declining to reveal details.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also signalled a potential escalation, saying that American “firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically.”
Iran launches missiles toward Israel
Iran responded to the strikes by launching missiles toward Tel Aviv, according to Iranian media and witnesses. An earlier explosion in central Israel reportedly caused a fire in a residential building.
Journalists on the ground reported hearing multiple blasts in Tel Aviv while rocket trails were visible over Netanya, further north.
The confrontation between Iran and Israel, now entering its seventh day, has rapidly widened beyond the two countries.
Conflict spreads across the region
The war has begun affecting several countries across the Middle East and beyond. Iranian drones and missiles have reportedly targeted multiple locations, including the Gulf region.
Qatar said its air defence systems intercepted a drone that was heading toward a U.S. military base in the country. Meanwhile, authorities in Bahrain reported damage to residential buildings following a suspected attack.
In Saudi Arabia, officials said air defence systems intercepted three ballistic missiles.
The conflict has also extended into the Indian Ocean, where a U.S. submarine reportedly sank an Iranian naval vessel near the coast of Sri Lanka.
Kurdish militias encouraged to act
Amid the escalating tensions, Trump also expressed support for Iranian Kurdish militias based in northern Iraq, encouraging them to intensify attacks against Iranian security forces.
Speaking to Reuters, Trump said he would welcome such operations.
“I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that. I’d be all for it,” he said.
Security sources reported that Iranian drone strikes hit an opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan earlier this week, highlighting the widening scope of the conflict.
Azerbaijan threatens retaliation
Tensions have also risen in the Caucasus region after Iranian drones crossed into Azerbaijan and injured four people in the Nakhchivan exclave.
Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, condemned the incident as an “unprovoked act of terror and aggression” and vowed retaliation if similar attacks occur again.
Hezbollah enters the fight
In Lebanon, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has launched missiles toward Israel in response to the ongoing war.
Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon have killed at least 123 people, according to local authorities, with thousands fleeing southern areas of Beirut after Israeli warnings of further attacks.
Many displaced families have reportedly taken shelter along the city’s coastline under difficult conditions.
Rising civilian casualties
The humanitarian toll of the conflict continues to grow. In Iran, reports indicate that at least 1,230 people have been killed since the fighting began.
Among the casualties are 175 schoolchildren reportedly killed in a strike on a school in Minab, according to Iranian sources.
In Lebanon, authorities say at least 77 people have died as Israeli strikes intensify across the country.
Global impact grows
The war has begun to disrupt global markets and logistics networks. Oil prices have surged amid concerns over potential disruption to shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy supplies.
Iran has claimed control over the waterway, while the United States has indicated it may escort commercial ships if necessary to ensure safe passage.
Despite calls for a ceasefire, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected negotiations with Washington, saying there is currently no basis for talks.
With the conflict widening and no clear diplomatic breakthrough in sight, regional governments and global powers are bracing for further escalation and its potentially far-reaching consequences.
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