The escalating U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran, now in its second week under Operation Epic Fury, has raised alarms over potential further escalation, including a possible U.S. ground invasion and even the use of nuclear weapons. Retired Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Aguilar, a Green Party candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 13th District, issued an urgent warning from Washington, D.C., on March 11, 2026, claiming that preparations for a ground war are underway and that tactical nuclear weapon employment is “likely.”
In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Aguilar, speaking directly to the camera against a backdrop of the nation’s capital, delivered a stark message: “Ground war in Iran? Happening. Use of a nuclear weapon? Likely.” He accused top military leaders—Admiral Frank M. Bradley, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—of potential war crimes, specifically citing a confirmed U.S. Tomahawk missile strike near a girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran, on or around February 28, 2026, the opening day of major strikes. The incident, which killed over 165 people (mostly schoolgirls), has drawn international condemnation, with open-source investigations (including from Bellingcat) authenticating footage showing a U.S.-made Tomahawk missile impacting a compound adjacent to the school and a nearby Revolutionary Guard naval base.
Aguilar called for Congress to “impeach, convict, remove” and prosecute Bradley and Caine, framing the alleged school strike as part of a broader pattern of reckless escalation driven by war profiteering and disregard for civilian life. He urged viewers to support his congressional campaign at aguilarforuscongress.com, positioning himself as an anti-war voice demanding accountability.
The claims come amid reports of intensified U.S. military activity. CENTCOM has confirmed the integration of A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” attack aircraft into early phases of the operation, marking one of their most significant combat roles in a high-intensity conflict since the 2003 Iraq invasion. These low-and-slow ground-attack jets, valued for close air support against mobile targets like missile launchers and fast-attack craft, have operated alongside B-52s, B-1Bs, F-35s, and naval assets. Analysts interpret their deployment as preparation for scenarios requiring persistent battlefield overwatch—potentially including support for ground maneuvers.
While the Pentagon has not confirmed plans for a large-scale ground invasion, President Donald Trump has repeatedly left the door open to “boots on the ground.” In recent statements, he expressed private interest in deploying troops inside Iran, possibly for limited operations to secure enriched uranium stockpiles at sites like Isfahan or to target high-value assets such as Kharg Island (Iran’s primary oil export hub). Senior officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have emphasized “lethality” over civilian protection protocols, which were reportedly dismantled early in the administration. Trump has described the campaign’s goals as destroying Iran’s missile and naval capabilities, preventing nuclear weapon acquisition, and potentially enabling regime change—though he has denied being “anywhere near” a full ground mission in some interviews.
Classified briefings shared with Congress, as reported by PBS NewsHour and lawmakers like Sen. Richard Blumenthal, indicate the U.S. appears “on a path” toward ground troop involvement, with reinforcements flowing into the region. Over 50,000 U.S. troops are already positioned across the Middle East, supported by two carrier strike groups, more than 200 aircraft, and additional assets. Strikes have reportedly neutralized thousands of Iranian targets, including air defenses, ballistic missiles, drones, and much of the IRGC navy, but Iran continues retaliatory attacks on U.S. allies and regional energy infrastructure.
The specter of nuclear escalation remains deeply concerning. Retired Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson warned that Israel is ready to use a Nuclear weapon following the Israeli’s Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments. No official U.S. statements have confirmed consideration of nuclear options, tactical or otherwise, though the campaign’s open-ended nature and focus on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure have fueled fears of worst-case scenarios if Iran attempts to recover buried enriched uranium or escalate regionally.
As the conflict enters its second week, with civilian casualties mounting and regional airspace disrupted, calls for de-escalation—or at minimum, congressional oversight—continue to grow amid warnings that further escalation could draw in global powers and risk catastrophic consequences.
