The Pentagon is considering deploying an additional 10,000 soldiers to the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Citing unnamed Defense Department sources, the report says the deployment could include infantry units and armored vehicles, providing more military options to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Neither Trump nor the Pentagon has ruled out a ground operation in the Islamic Republic, prompting renewed threats from Tehran to escalate attacks against Israel and U.S. targets in Gulf countries. Iran has also signaled it could tighten control over strategic maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb, both crucial for global trade.
Read more about this topic: Iran War: US destroyed “two-thirds” of Tehran’s missile production capacity (with video)
In recent days, there has been speculation that Washington could deploy troops to locations such as Kharg Island, home to Iran’s main oil export terminal—a move that could face significant opposition from U.S. public opinion, according to polls.
Meanwhile, Trump announced the extension until April 6 of a moratorium on potential attacks against Iran’s energy infrastructure, “at the request of” Tehran’s government, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.
