In a recent exchange, President Donald Trump criticized a reporter’s question as “crazy” when asked about the possibility of deploying U.S. ground troops to Iran. This inquiry came amidst ongoing White House negotiations with Iranian officials.

Over the past week, thousands of U.S. Marines have been dispatched to the Middle East. Specifically, two Marine units, totaling more than 4,000 personnel, are en route to Iran aboard the USS Tripoli and USS Boxer.

During a press engagement on Monday morning before boarding Air Force One, the President was questioned about the prospect of American troops setting foot in Iran. His response was notably sharp.

The reporter inquired, “Marines reportedly departed from California, from San Diego last week. Why are they being sent there now?”

President Trump quickly retorted, “If you were in my shoes and I posed that question to you, do you honestly think I’d provide an answer? It’s a crazy question.”

Throughout his presidency, Trump has consistently declined to discuss forthcoming military operations with the media, citing the risk to operational security should such plans be disclosed.

He also shared that the US has begun negotiations with Iranian officials to end the war – a claim that the Islamic Republic has refuted. 

If those talks go sideways and Iran doesn’t cooperate, Trump said US forces will keep ‘bombing our little hearts out.’

President Donald Trump said on Monday morning that Iranian officials called his administration to begin negotiations to end the war. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have refuted Trump’s claim

At least two US Marine units are currently en route to the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli and the USS Boxer

Trump said that if Iranian officials do not continue negotiating with US officials the strikes on Iran will continue

The President said Monday morning in a social media post that the US will hold off on striking Iranian energy infrastructure as the two countries look to strike a deal. 

Within the hour, Iranian officials swatted down those claims, saying the President and his team were not in contact with their officials. 

Later in the morning, Trump doubled down.

‘I didn’t call, they called; they want to make a deal.’ 

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in talks with Iranian officials on Sunday, the President said.  

‘We have had very, very strong talks. We’ll see where they lead. We have major points of agreement… They went, I would say, perfectly. I would say that if they carry through with that, it’ll end that problem, that conflict.’

The US is demanding in the negotiations that Iran give up its ambitions to create a nuclear weapon.

‘We want to see no nuclear bomb, no nuclear weapon — not even close to it — low key on the missiles, we want to see peace in the Middle East. We want the nuclear dust… I think we’re going to get that.’

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7, 2026

The White House has not heard from Iran’s new Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump said on Monday

Workers clear rubble from a bombed out building in Tehran on Monday

The President added that Iran had agreed ‘not have nuclear weapons any more,’ though there has not been reporting indicating they have actually created one. 

However, the administration has yet to get in contact with the country’s new ayatollah, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the former leader who was reportedly injured in US strikes. 

‘We have not heard from the son,’ Trump told reporters.