Retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg on Monday argued that the United States must deploy ground troops into Iran and replace its current negotiating team to effectively address the ongoing conflict. Speaking on Fox News's "America Reports," Kellogg outlined a five-point strategy, emphasizing that the nature of the war in Iran has fundamentally shifted.
"Look, there's about five things we ought to be doing right now, because the war has changed right now in Iran. One on negotiations, I would change out our negotiations team," Kellogg stated. He criticized the current team's composition, saying, "You do not — have — or need real estate guys to be talking about negotiation during the middle of a war, and when you do bring a negotiations team back, it ought to be a real hardcore son of a b—- that is just sitting on the ground and can really do it well."
Kellogg further argued that relying solely on airstrikes would not resolve the conflict, a stance that aligns with recent polling showing the war is increasingly unpopular with the American public. "You're going to need ground troops to do something. That doesn't mean they go all the way to Tehran," he clarified. "Then I'm not advocating that at all. But you could take a couple key strategic targets, that gives the president leverage and controls their economy."
The war in Iran, now approaching its fifth month, has strained U.S. relations with historic allies, disrupted the global economy, and driven up oil and gas prices. Fighting has recently escalated, with U.S. forces completing nine consecutive days of strikes against Iran on Sunday.
In a related development, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported Monday that two "deviant" oil tankers exploded while navigating the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran's state-run Fars News Agency, the ships detonated after attempting to use an "unsafe route" through the waterway. This incident underscores the broader tensions in the region, which have also impacted U.S. forces stationed in Jordan.
The Pentagon on Monday identified two U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan last week: 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales. Both died in action, with Feehan killed on Saturday and Gonzales on Friday. Their deaths highlight the human cost of the conflict, which has also seen two U.S. troops killed in Jordan as President Trump expands strikes on Iranian targets.
Kellogg's call for a new negotiating team and ground troops comes amid broader debates over U.S. military strategy. Some analysts have argued that integrating information operations into military planning is essential for winning modern wars, a perspective that aligns with Kellogg's emphasis on a more aggressive approach. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on Kellogg's proposals.
As the conflict grinds on, the U.S. faces mounting pressure to reassess its strategy. With no end in sight, Kellogg's remarks add to the growing chorus of voices demanding a shift in tactics, even as the administration continues to weigh its options.
