US President Trump's efforts to end the war against Iran are being undermined by the deployment of thousands of troops to the region, fuelling concerns that a ground invasion may be imminent. Iran has rejected Trump's diplomatic outreach and threatened retaliation if the US proceeds with a military presence. The move has sparked fears of a new conflict in the Middle East.

Even as Donald Trump pushes for talks to end the war against Iran, the US has ordered thousands of troops to the region, fuelling fears that the president is gearing up for exactly the sort of risky ground invasion that he once campaigned against. Iran has publicly rejected Trump’s diplomatic outreach and threatened massive retaliation if the US does put boots on the ground in a bid to break Tehran’s will. For a president who faulted his predecessors’ so-called forever wars, the potential...