Officials have indicated that preparations are underway to deploy several thousand additional U.S. troops to the Middle East. However, it remains unclear exactly when and where these forces will be stationed. The troops are currently based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, United States.
On Tuesday, multiple sources told Reuters that the Pentagon is preparing to send thousands of soldiers from the elite U.S. Army unit, the 82nd Airborne Division, to the region. This development comes even as Donald Trump has spoken about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Iran, suggesting a contrast between diplomatic messaging and military buildup.
A report published on March 18 had earlier revealed that the Trump administration was considering deploying additional troops. Such a move could expand options for potential direct military operations داخل Iranian territory. The ongoing tensions, now stretching over several weeks, have already unsettled global markets and increased the risk of broader conflict.
Officials speaking on condition of anonymity said that no specific timeline or destination for the deployment has been finalized. The U.S. military has declined to comment directly, referring inquiries to the White House, while the White House stated that any official announcement would come from the Pentagon.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said that all military options remain available to President Trump. One source noted that while no final decision has been made to send ground forces into Iran, efforts are underway to build the capability for a large-scale operation if required.
Another source indicated that between 3,000 and 4,000 troops are being prepared for deployment. This follows earlier reports that thousands of Marines and sailors, along with the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer and other naval assets, had already been sent to the Middle East.
Before this latest move, approximately 50,000 U.S. troops were already stationed in the region. The increase comes at a time when Trump had recently claimed “productive” discussions with Iran and had temporarily held off on potential strikes, although Iran has denied that any such talks took place.
Since the start of joint U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran on February 28, thousands of targets داخل Iranian territory have reportedly been struck. So far, 13 U.S. service members have been killed and around 290 injured. While some of the injured remain in serious condition, many have returned to duty.
Meanwhile, U.S. military planning is also focused on securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. There have also been discussions بشأن deploying ground forces to Iran’s key oil export hub, Kharg Island, from which the majority of the country’s oil exports are handled.
The 82nd Airborne Division is known for its rapid deployment capability, able to mobilize within 18 hours and highly skilled in parachute operations.
However, any decision to use U.S. ground forces against Iran—even on a limited scale—could pose significant political risks for the Trump administration. Public support for military action remains limited.
A recent poll shows that only 35% of Americans support military action against Iran, while approximately 61% oppose it, reflecting a clear divide in public opinion.
US preparing to send thousands more troops to Middle East
