US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed that there are currently no American ground troops deployed in Iran. Speaking on March 2, 2026, he stated that Washington remains prepared to take necessary measures to protect US interests if required, though such actions would not be taken recklessly. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

Hegseth questioned the logic of publicly outlining potential military options, saying it would not be wise to reveal in advance what steps the United States might take to achieve its objectives. The statement underscored a cautious but firm stance from Washington amid ongoing regional tensions.

According to the report, Iran has not issued any immediate response to Hegseth’s comments.