The United States is deploying roughly 9,000 additional troops to the Middle East as President Donald Trump considers possible new military strikes against Iran, the Associated Press reported Thursday, citing a US official familiar with the deployment.
The military buildup includes more than 7,000 sailors and around 2,000 Marines aboard a group of US Navy ships. The forces are being deployed as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high, raising concerns about the possibility of further military escalation in the region.
The deployment includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group. According to the official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, the latest movement could result in the United States having three aircraft carriers operating in the Middle East by the end of October.
The additional forces would significantly increase the size of the US military presence in the region. Including personnel already deployed there, the number of US sailors and Marines in the Middle East could rise to more than 20,000. Hundreds of US military aircraft would also be positioned in support of the expanded deployment.
The USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington aircraft carriers are already operating in the region, while the USS Boxer amphibious readiness group is also present.
The deployment comes as the Trump administration weighs its options regarding Iran and amid heightened tensions between the two countries. The increased concentration of US naval and Marine forces would provide Washington with additional military capabilities and flexibility should the president order further operations.
However, the deployment does not necessarily mean that new strikes against Iran have been decided. US officials have continued to assess the regional situation and potential military options as Washington considers its next steps.
