Pentagon Prepares To Send Another 3,000 Troops To Middle East

The Pentagon is preparing to deploy about 3,000 troops from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, adding to the thousands of Marines already headed to the region to assist with operations in Iran.

No decisions have been made for troops to enter the country, according to two defense officials who confirmed the planned deployment. But the buildup of troops is a drastic escalation in the U.S.-Israel war against the Iranian regime and heightens the possibility that American servicemembers will go into Iran.

The 82nd has a quick reaction force that can deploy around the world within 18 hours, but it is not clear if that division will head to the region.

The troop increase comes a month into U.S. military airstrikes against Iranian military forces and infrastructure, and amid spiraling gas prices as Iranian officials block access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees the effort, said Tuesday that U.S. aircraft and missile attacks have “destroyed more than 9,000 military targets” inside Iran since the attacks started on Feb. 28. Military officials said recently that the strikes have focused on Iran’s missile launchers, navy, and its defense industrial base. Strikes have also killed dozens of the regime’s leadership.

The U.S. already has 50,000 troops in the region. The increase suggests the potential for more involvement, such as taking control of the strait by force. The defense officials were granted anonymity to discuss internal planning.

Iran continued its drone and ballistic missile attacks on Israel and other countries in the region on Tuesday, a day after President Donald Trump announced he was pushing back threatened attacks on Iranian power plants due to “productive talks” toward a peace deal. Tehran has denied any direct talks.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday reported an increasing downturn in public support for the war, with 35 percent of Americans approving of the U.S. strikes. The poll last week found 37 percent of Americans supported it. Overall, 61 percent of respondents disapproved of the strikes, compared to 59 percent a week ago.