Israel unlikely to deploy ground forces to Iran, prepared for weeks-long campaign: Israeli spokesperson

The Israeli military ‌has prepared for a campaign ​against Iran that ⁠could last several weeks but is unlikely to see the deployment of ‌ground forces, a military spokesperson told reporters on ‌Tuesday (March 3, 2026).

“We have prepared ‌a ⁠general scope of weeks,” ⁠Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said in an online briefing, adding that the duration ​of the ‌military campaign could change, depending on developments. He described progress so far as positive.

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When ‌asked if Israel could ​deploy ground forces to Iran, Lt. Col. Shoshani said that ⁠was unlikely.

“I don’t think that’s something very likely at ‌the moment for Israeli forces. There’s not a practical idea at the moment that I know of,” he said.

Israel and the U.S. ‌have been carrying out air ​strikes against Iran since Saturday (February 27, 2026), triggering Iranian retaliation.

Israeli Prime ⁠Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on ⁠Monday (March 2, 2026) that the U.S.-Israel war with Iran could ‌take “some time” but would not take years.