Trump Denies Plans to Send Ground Troops to Iran; Military "Money-Burning" Budget Request Expected to Face Congressional Obstacles

Regarding the next military actions against Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump continues to send mixed signals.

According to Xinhua News Agency on the 19th, Trump responded to media questions in the White House regarding whether he plans to send more troops to the Middle East during military operations against Iran, saying, “I will not deploy troops anywhere. If I were to do so, I certainly wouldn’t tell you. But I am not deploying troops.”

The day before, a U.S. official and three informed sources revealed that as the U.S. military prepares to take the next step against Iran, the Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to bolster its military presence in the Middle East.

The Pentagon has already dispatched thousands of Marines to the Middle East, and the “Littoral Combat Ship” USS Beirut, stationed at the U.S. base in Japan, has recently sailed to waters near Singapore. The U.S. is weighing whether to seize Iran’s oil export hub on Kharg Island and underground nuclear fuel storage facilities in Isfahan, both of which could involve deploying ground forces.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has submitted an additional budget request of over $200 billion to Congress to support operations against Iran. However, apart from Democrats who strongly oppose this military action, some Republicans in Congress are skeptical about increasing military spending and are refusing to fund without a clear strategy.

On March 19, 2026, local time, in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump attended a bilateral dinner in the White House State Dining Room. Earlier that day, Trump exchanged views with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Iran, energy, and the Indo-Pacific region. Visual China Group

Will Congress approve more troops?

On the 19th, Trump stated he has no intention of sending ground troops to participate in military operations against Iran. However, on the 17th, he had previously said he was “not afraid” to deploy U.S. ground forces in Iran.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is increasing its troop presence in the Middle East. Previously, the amphibious assault ship USS Beirut, stationed at Yokosuka Base in Japan, was transporting U.S. military personnel to the Middle East. These personnel come from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit based in Okinawa, and the USS Beirut can also carry fighter jets. The troop increase will total around 2,500 Marines and additional naval personnel.

According to The New York Times, currently about 50,000 U.S. military personnel are in the Middle East. The deployed forces are skilled in ground combat and supported by naval and air forces, suggesting the U.S. may be planning a strike against Iran, possibly targeting Kharg Island.

Kharg Island is located in the northwest Persian Gulf, about 25 kilometers from the Iranian coast, measuring approximately 6 km in length and 3 km in width. It is Iran’s largest oil export terminal, accounting for 90% of Iran’s oil exports.

On the 13th, U.S. forces launched heavy airstrikes on multiple military bases on Kharg Island but did not target oil infrastructure. On the 18th, Trump threatened that the U.S. might destroy Iran’s oil infrastructure or power grid.

That same day, Iran’s South Pars petrochemical facilities were attacked by the U.S. and Israel. Qatar’s Ministry of Interior and QatarEnergy announced that Iran had launched missile attacks on Ras Laffan Industrial City, the site of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility.

These attacks caused a surge in global oil prices, which later declined later that day. Reports suggest that this turmoil may have prompted Trump to speak more cautiously when questioned about the economic impact of war.

On the 19th, Trump stated that although he is reluctant to attack Iran—an action that could raise oil prices and slightly harm the economy—he still considers it necessary.

The U.S. is also deciding whether to attempt to seize Iran’s underground nuclear facilities in Isfahan, which reportedly store about 440 kilograms of nuclear fuel.

This issue has unsettled Republicans, with some of Trump’s staunch allies urging a quick withdrawal. Republican Congressman and former Navy SEAL Derrick Van Orden said he explicitly advised the government not to send ground troops: “I don’t want to see that happen.” Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett added, “I think we need to find a withdrawal strategy quickly. I don’t want Americans to be sent anywhere, in any form or manner.”

Will the additional military budget be approved?

Currently, the Pentagon has submitted a request for over $200 billion in additional funding to Congress, signaling readiness for prolonged combat.

It is unclear what specific actions this $200 billion will cover. Even by recent high-cost standards, this amount could only sustain a few months of operations. A Defense Department official previously told lawmakers that during the first six days of military action against Iran, the U.S. spent $11.3 billion.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated on the morning of the 19th that this figure might change because “killing bad guys costs money.” However, he and other officials need to persuade Republican lawmakers to approve the request quickly.

Trump revealed the funding request on the 19th, saying he wants to ensure the military has “ample ammunition,” but did not specify what the Pentagon needs the money for.

Two sources said some of the funds might be allocated to areas unrelated to the Iran military operation, a common Pentagon funding strategy to support defense projects.

This additional military spending is likely to face resistance in Congress. Most Democrats remain firmly opposed to the military action.

Moderate and pro-Israel Democrats have expressed skepticism about funding a war under current conditions. This complicates Trump’s push for additional military spending, as it usually requires some support from Senate Democrats to pass.

Republicans in Congress have so far avoided public involvement in the Iran war effort, only being briefed secretly and not formally voting to authorize the military action. Key lawmakers are skeptical about spending hundreds of billions of dollars to prolong the conflict.

Trump’s close ally, Colorado Congressman Lauren Boebert, told CNN she would not support additional funding for the military operation: “I am firmly opposed. I’ve made my position clear to leadership—no additional military spending. I’m tired of spending money there. My constituents in Colorado are struggling, and what they need now is policies that prioritize the American people.”

Some Republicans are also worried that the U.S. might be dragged into the “endless wars” Trump himself opposed. They say they will consider increasing military funding only if the White House better explains its plans.

“What are we doing? We’re talking about ground forces, about long-term operations. We’re entering a new phase. They still need to brief us on how to pay for this and what the mission is,” said Texas Congressman Chip Roy, who closely follows Pentagon spending.

Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, also a fiscal conservative, added, “It makes you wonder how long they plan to stay there. What’s the goal? Is this the first $200 billion? Will it turn into a trillion?”

Not only the far-right Republicans are questioning this. Moderate members, Senate Republicans responsible for spending, and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said they would not support additional funding until the White House clarifies its plans.

Several sources told CNN that behind the scenes, some Republicans have joined Democrats in pressuring officials over war spending. So far, the government has only briefed lawmakers on two cost estimates, each in the tens of billions, but both are incomplete.

Some Republicans have set conditions for Pentagon funding. Congressman Eric Burlison said he would consider approving the additional $200 billion only after the Pentagon “conducts an audit”: “We’ve known for years they haven’t had an audit, so I want to see one first. If they pass an audit, I’ll feel more comfortable because then I know they’re tracking and managing the funds.”

Republicans worry that prolonged conflict and rising oil prices could hurt their midterm election prospects. However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy insisted on the 19th that the U.S. mission will “end soon,” while acknowledging that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has “caused some delays.” Both McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Schumer remain cautious about whether Congress will approve this funding request.

— By Nan Boyi, The Paper