WSJ: US prepares to send thousands more troops to the Middle East.
The Pentagon plans to deploy thousands more troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. This large-scale military buildup comes even as US President Donald Trump has just mentioned the possibility of reaching an agreement with Tehran to end the conflict.
Citing unnamed officials, Reuters and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. is preparing to deploy approximately 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, a unit stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This force is renowned for its rapid response capabilities, able to deploy for combat operations anywhere in the world within 18 hours of receiving orders.
U.S. defense officials have not yet announced the specific timing and location of this troop deployment. However, sources confirm that while no final decision has been made on directly deploying ground troops to Iranian territory, the troop buildup aims to prepare for potential future operations.
These campaigns could include the use of force to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz or to establish control over Iran's strategic coastlines and islands. Notably, the Washington administration is reportedly considering options for deploying ground forces to Kharg Island – a transit hub handling up to 90% of Iran's oil exports.
This troop deployment follows a decision made last week, when the U.S. sent 2,500 Marines and sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, along with escort warships, to the region. Prior to this reinforcement, the U.S. maintained approximately 50,000 troops in the Middle East.
The U.S.'s continued military buildup is creating a contradictory picture with recent diplomatic statements. Just a day earlier, President Donald Trump announced a postponement of a planned attack on Iranian power plants, citing "effective" talks with Tehran. However, Iran immediately denied that any formal negotiations had taken place.
Since the military campaign against Iran began on February 28, the US military has conducted airstrikes on more than 9,000 targets. In return, US officials have confirmed that 13 of their soldiers have been killed and 290 wounded in the past month.
Beyond the risks on the ground, the use of ground troops—even in limited missions—poses a significant political challenge for the Trump administration. Opinion polls show growing opposition among Americans to the conflict. According to a Reuters/Ipsos survey released on March 24th, support for U.S. attacks on Iran has fallen to 35%, while 61% of respondents expressed opposition (up from 59% the previous week).
