The White House denied any immediate plans to reinstate the military draft on Thursday amid growing speculation linked to the ongoing U.S. airstrikes against Iran. The comments followed a Fox News interview with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stated that a draft was "not part of the current plan" but did not rule it out entirely.

Leavitt responded to concerns about forced conscription by saying, "President Trump wisely does not remove options from the table." Her remarks, made during the second week of Operation Epic Fury, ignited online backlash and fears of escalation into a ground war requiring mass mobilization.

The White House Rapid Response team quickly countered exaggerated reports on X, stating, "She didn't say anything close to this." Officials emphasized no decisions have been made to deploy ground troops or activate conscription, though options remain open amid the conflict.

Operation Epic Fury began around February 28, targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities, naval assets, air bases, and missile sites. U.S. Central Command reported striking over 5,500 targets, significantly degrading Iran's capabilities, including a 90% reduction in missile attacks. The campaign, supported by Israel, aims to neutralize threats without committing to invasion.

The U.S. has not used a draft since 1973, during the Vietnam War. Reinstatement would require congressional authorization and activation of the Selective Service System, which maintains registration data for males aged 18-25. President Trump lacks unilateral authority, as noted by legal experts.