WASHINGTON (VINnews) – The Pentagon is preparing for potential ground operations in Iran that could last weeks, even as the Trump administration signals both escalation and interest in renewed diplomacy, according to U.S. officials.

The plans under discussion would fall short of a full-scale invasion and could involve raids by Special Operations forces alongside conventional infantry units, The Washington Post reported, citing officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Such operations would carry significant risks, including exposure to Iranian drones, missiles, ground fire and improvised explosives, according to the report. It was not immediately clear whether President Donald Trump would approve any, all or none of the proposals.

The report comes as the administration alternates between describing the conflict as winding down and issuing warnings of further escalation. Trump last week issued an ultimatum giving Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on power infrastructure, later extending the deadline twice as negotiations continued.

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington is awaiting Tehran’s response to a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict, telling a conference in Miami that he expects talks to take place this week. He said the plan would address uranium enrichment, nuclear material stockpiles and international oversight.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Pentagon routinely prepares military options for the president but emphasized that no final decision has been made.

“It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the Commander in Chief maximum optionality,” she said in a statement responding to the report. “It does not mean the President has made a decision.”

Discussions inside the administration have reportedly included possible operations targeting Iranian coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz, including efforts to disrupt weapons systems and seize strategic sites such as Kharg Island, according to The Washington Post.

Officials said any such mission could take weeks or months to complete. The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment.