Why boots on the ground is coming

The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has prompted a strategic shift in Washington, moving beyond airstrikes to consider the viability of ground operations. While special forces missions offer political flexibility and the potential to neutralize nuclear stockpiles or sabotage military infrastructure, they carry significant risks of failure and limited long-term impact on Iran's decentralized defense doctrine. Alternatively, limited territorial seizures—such as targeting islands near the Strait of Hormuz or oil export hubs—could provide tactical leverage, though they risk escalating the conflict into a contested amphibious engagement. A full-scale invasion remains the most extreme and costly option, requiring massive troop mobilization and regional support that currently lacks political appetite. Ultimately, any deep military push into Iran threatens to drain American resources while failing to guarantee a decisive strategic victory, potentially destabilizing the region for decades.