The Pentagon is preparing to send thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to two sources familiar with the matter, marking a major expansion of U.S. military presence in the region.
The deployment, involving between 3,000 and 4,000 troops stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, comes amid heightened tensions with Iran. Officials did not specify the exact locations of the deployment or arrival dates. While no decision has been made to send troops into Iran itself, the move aims to build capacity for potential future operations.
This announcement follows the U.S. decision to dispatch thousands of Marines and sailors aboard the USS Boxer, alongside its Marine Expeditionary Unit and accompanying warships, to the Middle East. Before the reinforcements, approximately 50,000 U.S. troops were already stationed in the region.
The developments come as President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of reaching a deal with Tehran to end the conflict, though Iran denied that any productive talks had taken place.
Since February 28, the U.S. has reportedly carried out strikes against roughly 9,000 targets inside Iran, following coordinated U.S. and Israeli military operations. Thirteen U.S. troops have been killed and 290 wounded, with 255 returning to duty and 10 remaining seriously injured.
The planned troop deployment underscores the intensifying military options in the Middle East, raising concerns over the potential escalation of the conflict and its impact on global markets.
