Trump says he’s ‘not afraid’ of Vietnam-style ground combat in Iran | 17 March 2026 | President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is “not afraid” to deploy U.S. ground troops within Iran, further emphasizing the lengths he is willing to go in the Middle East war. Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, the President fielded many questions about the Iran war. “Are you afraid that if you put boots on the ground in Iran, it could be another Vietnam?” one reporter asked. “No,” Trump shot back, adding, “I’m not afraid of anything.” The president has previously said that he would deploy ground troops if “necessary,” but he has offered few details on what scenario would prompt a boots-on-the-ground invasion. He also said during the sit-down with the Taoiseach that the U.S. has contemplated destroying Iran’s energy infrastructure.