Boots on ground possible as blitz 'not even started'

DONALD Trump said he would consider sending US ground troops into Iran "if they were necessary" after claiming his blitz was only just getting started.

- BY GILES SHELDRICK Chief Reporter

But the president said soldiers would “probably” not be needed.

He told the New York Times: “I don't have the yips with respect to boots on the ground - like every president says, ‘there will be no boots on the ground’. I don’t say it.”

On day three of the conflict, Mr Trump added: “We haven't even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn't even happened. The big one is coming soon.”

Explaining his decision to attack the rogue state, he said: “The regime had missiles capable of hitting Europe and our bases, both local and overseas, and would soon have had missiles capable of reaching our beautiful America.”

Mr Trump said Iran “cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside their borders” and took the decision to strike because it was the best opportunity to “eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime".

He said: “For almost 47 years, this regime has been attacking the United States and killing Americans.