US weighs deploying up to 10,000 more troops to Middle East
Pentagon planning additional ground forces to expand military options as Trump considers Iran talks, media reports
ANKARA
The Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to provide US President Donald Trump with expanded military options as he weighs possible peace talks with Tehran, media reports said on Thursday.
Department of Defense officials familiar with the planning said the potential deployment would include infantry units and armored vehicles, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The additional forces would join around 5,000 Marines and thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already ordered to the region.
It remains unclear where the troops would be stationed, but officials indicated they would likely be positioned within operational range of Iran and Kharg Island, a key oil export hub off the country’s coast.
Trump has repeatedly stated that he intends to “open the Strait of Hormuz,” with or without the support of US allies.
“All announcements regarding troop deployments will come from the Department of War,” said Anna Kelly, deputy White House press secretary.
She added: “President Trump always has all military options at his disposal.”
A spokesperson for US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, declined to comment on the plans.
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