The Pentagon is preparing to send about 3,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, thus increasing the US military presence in the region, writes Politico.
According to two defense officials who confirmed the planned deployment of troops, no decision has been made on entering Iran. However, the increase in the number of troops in the Middle East is a significant escalation in the US-Israeli war against Iran, and increases the possibility of American forces entering Iran.
The 82nd Airborne Division has a rapid reaction force that can be deployed anywhere in the world within 18 hours, but it is not known whether they will be sent to the Middle East region.
The increase in the number of soldiers comes at a time when strikes against Iran have been carried out for almost a month and have caused a wide increase in energy prices around the world. Iran has blocked traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the Gulf’s crude exports.
The US military said on the 24th of March that
US strikes in Iran had destroyed more than 9,000 military targets.
Military officials said the strikes targeted Iranian missile launchers, the navy and the defense industry. They also killed a number of regime leaders.
There are already about 50,000 US troops in the region, and the increase in their numbers suggests a possible broader involvement, such as taking over the Strait of Hormuz by force.
Meanwhile, after US President Donald Trump said he would refrain from attacking Iranian power plants in light of productive talks, Iran has continued to attack Israel and other countries in the region with drones and ballistic missiles. Tehran has denied that direct talks have taken place.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on the 24th of March showed public support for the war is falling, with only 35% of Americans supporting strikes on Iran. Last week, 37% of those polled supported strikes.
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