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Iran War: What happens if US President Donald Trump sends in US troops? | The Global Story

2026-04-02 News & Politics
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What happens if you simulate the different outcomes of the war in Iran? Since the beginning of the US-Israel war with Iran, people have been asking whether Donald Trump will launch a ground invasion. Roughly 10,000 additional US troops have now arrived in the Middle East, giving President Trump options ranging from an invasion of Kharg Island to an elaborate special forces operations to seize Iran’s so-called ‘nuclear dust’. For years, the Pentagon has simulated war games to try and plan for what might happen if the US went to war with Iran. Our guest, Ilan Goldenberg, was in the room during the Obama years, taking part in the games. He is a former White House Iran advisor. New episodes of The Global Story are released daily. If you’re in the UK, listen on BBC Sounds. If you live outside the UK, listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. LINK: https://app.magellan.ai/listen_links/the-global-story-ytl Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews #iranwar #trump 00:00 Introduction 01:00 What is wargaming? 02:35 How does a conflict between Iran and the US start? 08:51 What happens if Trump takes Kharg Island? 10:43 What happens if Trump puts forces on the ground in Iran? 14:45 What happens if there is a full scale invasion of Iran? 17:55 What happens when there's a regime change? 20:01 How do you de-escalate the war in Iran? 24:48 What will be the outcome in Iran?

Top Comments (10)

@TheWoodstockWarrior 2026-04-02

“I’m not going to start wars, I’m going to stop wars,” declared presidential nominee Donald Trump in 2024

176 34 replies
@ar1818-l7x 2026-04-02

The bottom line is,no peace and ease for billions of common people of the world.

144 2 replies
@KidsTutorial123 2026-04-02

You lost me when the guy said, you play US as the good guys and Iran as the bad guys 🤣

75 7 replies
@JensForTheWin 2026-04-02

I’m convinced these two are the same person. Just one version is with a shaved beard.

57 4 replies
@umpftheterrible 2026-04-02

This is a very good interview. Thank you.

46 4 replies
@jonnyhatter35 2026-04-02

The worst thing about this war is the coming economic depression. This energy crisis is just getting started, and its gonna crush the world. From there? More domestic unrest, revolutions, more terrorism, famine, and just more war in general. And yes, I really really hope Im wrong. I dont want this

34 7 replies
@cindywilliams3542 2026-04-02

Really good news for Defense Contractors. Billions and Billions of future arms sales

24 1 replies
@someutubchannel69 2026-04-02

judge by actions not words Judge by his life trends...

14
@Mrgasman1 2026-04-03

Remember that when trump says EVERYBODY amd NO ONE Replace both words with ME

7
@EAZY-o6f 2026-04-02

As the 'king of the deal', coated in an orange teflon coating, said 'Nobody expected that'.

5

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