'Do Not Join or Remain in the US Military': Candace Owens Warns US Troops That Trump Expects Them to 'Die for Israel'

Conservative commentator Candace Owens caused a stir this week by urging US military personnel not to enlist or remain in service, claiming that President Donald Trump's handling of the war on Iran would mean American troops dying on behalf of Israel's interests rather than in defence of the United States.

Owens shared her message on X, reposting a clip of an Israeli politician raising the possibility of American boots on the ground in Iran.

Owens' Warning to US Troops and Reactions

Owens reposted a clip originally shared by journalist Max Blumenthal in which former Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz responded to a question about whether US ground troops could eventually be deployed in Iran, saying he 'would not exclude it.' She used that as the basis for her warning:

'Do not join or remain in the United States Military. Trump has betrayed America and expects you to die for Israel. There is no honour in being led by dishonourable men to your death.'

By making this argument, Owens suggested that the war in Iran—influenced in part by pressure from US allies like Israel—could put American soldiers in harm's way for reasons that don't directly defend the United States.

In other words, she implied that troops might be sent to fight a war shaped more by international politics than by direct threats to their own country.

Her comments have sparked strong reactions online. Supporters praised her for 'speaking truth to power,' seeing her warning as a call for soldiers to think carefully before risking their lives. Others, however, criticised her for trying to dictate what Americans must do.

'Patriots can make their own choices to serve their Country! You don't get to make that decision for them,' said one commenter.

Some even labelled her a 'traitor', 'Candace Owens is a traitor to the United States and actively working against our interests. She has become such a shameful person.'

US Plans Boots‑on‑the‑Ground in Iran

Although there are currently no US ground troops in Iran, senior US officials have openly left the possibility on the table.

President Trump himself told the public that he does not categorically rule out deploying troops but believes existing air and naval operations may make ground forces unnecessary 'if they were necessary.'

At a Pentagon briefing, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also refused to commit to ruling out boots on the ground, saying that the United States will go 'as far as we need to go to advance American interests.'

Israel's Role in US-Iran Strikes

Peace negotiations between the United States and Iran were happening in early February 2026, but they collapsed when Israel launched a major pre‑emptive attack on Iranian military and leadership targets.

This strike, carried out with cooperation from the United States, hit sites across Tehran and other parts of Iran. Iranian state media has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in those strikes, which also reportedly took the lives of several high‑ranking military figures.

After that initial blow, Iran responded with a wave of missile and drone attacks against US forces and allied positions across the region, including Gulf states and Lebanon. These reprisals have tightened the conflict, leading to exchanges of fire that have worsened instability in the Middle East.

The unrest has forced large numbers of civilians to flee their homes—particularly in southern Lebanon, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced by bombardments.

The fighting has also hit oil production sites and critical infrastructure, causing disruptions in global energy markets. A strike on Iranian oil storage facilities produced massive fireballs and toxic clouds seen over Tehran, and oil prices have risen amid fears of supply shortages.

As of the latest official reports, the United States has confirmed six service members killed and several others seriously wounded in the ongoing conflict tied to air and missile exchanges with Iran and its allies.

Despite the intensity of the conflict, there is still no large‑scale deployment of US ground troops inside Iran or an official long‑term occupation plan. Both US and Israeli officials describe their actions as efforts to degrade Iran's military capabilities while continuing to defend forces and allies in the region.