Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, the former commander of U.S. Central Command (Centcom), said Sunday that the U.S. military has been working on plans for a ground raid in Iran for years. In an interview on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” McKenzie described longstanding options focused on Iran’s southern coast, including potential raids to seize islands or small bases along the Persian Gulf. These operations would typically involve a planned withdrawal rather than permanent occupation, though some positions could be held temporarily to exert pressure. McKenzie noted that such actions could humiliate Iran and strengthen the U.S. position in any negotiations, amid reports that President Trump is weighing additional troop deployments to the region as the conflict with Iran continues.

This revelation underscores that the Pentagon has maintained detailed contingency planning for various military actions against Iran for decades, including scenarios involving ground forces. U.S. defense officials have long war-gamed responses to threats from Iran’s nuclear program, its proxy networks, and its control over key maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Billions of taxpayer dollars have funded these simulations, intelligence gathering, and force posture adjustments across multiple administrations, ensuring that planners can adapt quickly to evolving crises in the Middle East without starting from scratch. McKenzie himself emphasized that many of these concepts have been studied “for many years,” reflecting a consistent strategic focus on deterring or responding to Iranian aggression.

As the current situation develops, with discussions of potential limited ground raids rather than a full-scale invasion, these pre-existing plans provide flexibility for decision-makers. While some retired generals have warned that introducing U.S. ground troops could escalate risks and lead to higher casualties, the infrastructure of prior war-gaming allows for calibrated options, such as special operations raids or targeted seizures of strategic assets like Kharg Island. Ultimately, whether these decades of preparation translate into action depends on political calculations, diplomatic outcomes, and the broader goal of securing U.S. interests in a volatile region.

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