KABUL: The Pentagon is preparing for potential ground operations in Iran that could take place within weeks, according to U.S. officials cited by The Washington Post.
As part of the preparations, thousands of U.S. ground and naval forces are being deployed to the Middle East, the report said.
A White House spokesperson, however, stressed that such contingency planning does not indicate a final decision by President Donald Trump.
The developments come as foreign ministers from Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are set to meet in Islamabad for a two-day conference aimed at easing rising tensions in the region.