Several Republican lawmakers have indicated they would not rule out supporting U.S. ground operations in Iran as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) told NBC's "Meet the Press" that while he believes the United States has "won or is winning" the war with Iran, additional action may be needed in the region.

When asked about the possibility of deploying ground troops, Lankford did not dismiss the option, stating "we've got to be able to finish this" and emphasizing the need to understand objectives before supporting any military action. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise similarly acknowledged ongoing discussions about ground troop deployment, though he declined to provide specifics about negotiations.

The comments come as regional tensions remain high, with Iran-allied Houthi forces in Yemen joining the conflict and attacking Israeli targets while potentially threatening Red Sea shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit point, has experienced significant disruptions amid the ongoing hostilities.

Iran's parliament speaker responded to reports of potential U.S. ground operations by declaring the country would "never accept humiliation," according to Iranian state media. The Pentagon has reportedly been preparing various military options for the region, though no official announcements regarding ground forces have been made.

The discussions among Republican lawmakers reflect growing pressure to escalate military involvement as diplomatic efforts appear stalled. Both the United States and Iran have issued what observers describe as maximalist demands, with no clear sign of substantive negotiations taking place.