Israeli ambassador to US: ‘We need boots on the ground, but they have got to be Iranian boots’

The Hill ^ | Marh 22nd, 2026 | by Max Rego

[Mariner]

Michael Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., said Sunday that the Iranian people must mobilize to overthrow the Islamic Republic regime.

“I think that we need boots on the ground, but they have got to be Iranian boots, and I think they’re coming,” Leiter told host Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

He noted that the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran will only end when there is “not an entity in Tehran that’s going to threaten the region.”

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TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iran

[Mariner]

With US and Israeli air support, a little organization and training in comms by Specops...

Not to mention the air drop of 100,000 AKs and a couple million rounds, they might have a chance.

AND just the thought of it creates unmatched terror in the hearts of Nazis in charge.

[lee martell]

I agree. For several reasons, I hope that is the outcome.
The Kurds would willingly fight on the ground too. but they may expect territorial rewards, which is understandable.

[rdcbn1]

iran has plenty of guns on the ground in iran - people just need to get their hands on them

Plus the US used to have a large stockpile of AK47 rifles for just such an occasion

it does not take that many really.

Protesters are easy targets for IRGC and Basij but add a couple dozen armed fighters in the crowd and that advantage is cut way back

The real solution is to turn Iran's regular army

[MMusson]

Take Kharg Island and give it to the Resistance.

[Jeff Chandler]

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

[Vermont Lt]

I hope the Kurds have been sneaking crates of small arms across the border. Otherwise, any uprising is going to be squashed in a hot minute.

If the Iranian Army isn’t going to overthrow the mullahs, an unarmed populace isn’t going to.

[frank ballenger]

Backing up a threat over boots....

Nancy Sinatra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM1kzbAgo_E

[faithhopecharity]

the Israeli ambassador is right.
it will need to be Iranian boots on the ground

imho, USA should take Kharg Island (miles off the Iranian shore, a very limited objective NOT an invasion of the Iranian mainland..it is the primary site where they make all of the $$$ that they use for their nukes and ICBMs and terrorist thug gangs......

. and that should be it for any US Marines, imho...we can airdrop friendly forces any weapons they may need... we don’t need to send in “boots on the ground” imho. we’re winning from the air and sea, there does NOT appear to be any need or intelligent reason for another Iraq or Afghanistan. imho. ymmv

[MarlonRando]

we don’t need blood in OuR boots

[Mariner]

True.

But they need the knowledge and the means to call in air support and ID targets for the US.

And they need to see that work a couple of times.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

The real solution is to turn Iran's regular army.

Right. You have to turn enough elements of it - with their bases, armories, etc., - to get more weapons out on the street and some level of competency in terms of tactical leadership.

[Georgia Girl 2]

The Immortal Guard which is a group of Iranian opposition answering to Reza Palahvi are quietly mobilizing. I imagine Mossad and likely the CIA are arming them up for when the order goes out for the people to take to the streets again.

[PIF]

He might be referring to the Iranian Army which could theoretically suppress the IRGC

[Texas Eagle]

I like the thinking.