U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will not put troops in Iran as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is escalating.

US President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del., to attend the casualty return for the six crew members of an Air Force refueling aircraft who died when their plane crashed in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. (Photo:AP)

Trump made the remarks when meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House.

Asked by a reporter about sending U.S. ground troops to Iran, Trump said, "I'm not putting troops anywhere."

The United States and Israel began large-scale strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy.