The U.S. may deploy an additional 10,000 troops to the Middle East — WSJ
The Pentagon is considering sending an additional 10,000 troops to the Middle East.
According to The Wall Street Journal, this move is intended to bolster U.S. President Donald Trump’s military capabilities in the region.
According to the publication, the 10,000-strong ground force contingent will include infantry and armored vehicles. It will join approximately 5,000 Marines and thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already deployed to the region.
At this time, the exact location of the troops in the Middle East remains unclear, but they will most likely be positioned within striking distance of Iran and the island of Kharg, which is a key oil export hub off the coast of Iran.
Trump has previously stated on multiple occasions that he would open the Strait of Hormuz with or without the help of allies.
“All statements regarding troop deployments will come from the Department of Defense. As we have said, President Trump always has all military options at his disposal,” said White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.
Meanwhile, a representative of U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East, declined to comment.
Trump commented on the possibility of redirecting weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East.
Earlier, The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is considering redirecting weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East, as the war in Iran is depleting the U.S. military’s stockpiles of some of its most critical ammunition. According to the publication’s sources, the weapons that could be redirected include air defense interceptor missiles.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that U.S. weapons intended for Ukraine under the PURL mechanism will not be redirected to the Middle East.
