The United States has begun a massive deployment of troops to the Middle East
The U.S. has begun deploying troops to the Middle East on a large scale. Thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division have begun their redeployment.
Reuters reported this, citing two U.S. officials.
Earlier, on March 18, Reuters reported that the Trump administration was considering sending an additional contingent of several thousand troops to bolster U.S. capabilities in the region, specifically for a potential ground operation on Iranian territory.
The paratroopers from Fort Bragg (North Carolina) are arriving after sailors, Marines, and special operations forces who are already in the region.
According to sources, the additional forces include units from the 82nd Division headquarters, logistics and support units, as well as one brigade combat team. A final decision on deploying troops on Iranian territory has not yet been made, but the buildup of forces creates the potential for future operations in the region.
Among the scenarios under consideration are establishing control over Kharg Island, which is key to Iranian oil exports, and ensuring the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the start of the military operation on February 28, the U.S. has struck over 11,000 targets in Iran. More than 300 American service members have been wounded, and 13 have been killed as part of Operation Epic Fury.
On Friday, March 27, U.S. Marines arrived in the Middle East aboard an amphibious assault ship. This brought the total number of U.S. troops in the region to thousands.
As a reminder, an Iranian ballistic missile struck the town of Eshtol near Jerusalem, wounding at least 11 people and damaging buildings and a parking lot. Israeli air defenses attempted to intercept the missile but were unsuccessful.
Iran attacked the UAE with 20 missiles and 37 drones.
A Hezbollah journalist was killed in an Israeli strike.
