The United States government is preparing to send thousands of soldiers to the Middle East amid the war against Iran, according to American officials interviewed by the agency. Reuters this Tuesday (24). According to the sources, the Pentagon intends to move between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, one of the elite units of the American Army, expanding the military presence in the region while the White House evaluates the next steps in the conflict.
Authorities interviewed by the agency stated that the deployment of troops does not, for now, mean a decision to place soldiers inside Iranian territory, but it would increase the United States’ ability to carry out operations of this type if the government deems it necessary.
The soldiers must be moved from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the base where the 82nd Airborne Division is stationed. President Donald Trump’s government has not officially confirmed the plan to deploy the military.
The increase in military presence comes at the same time that President Trump has publicly indicated the possibility of negotiations to end the conflict. This Monday (23), Trump said that there had been “productive” talks with the Iranian regime about a possible solution to the war, but Tehran officials denied that any negotiations had taken place.
According to the newspaper The New York Timesthe American government sent this Tuesday to Iran a 15-point plan to end the conflict, which would have been delivered to the regime through Pakistani authorities. Authorities interviewed by the newspaper said that it is not yet clear whether the proposal will be accepted by Tehran nor whether Israel agrees to the terms discussed.
In the region, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, has defended in conversations with President Trump that the war against Iran should not be stopped at this time. As reported by the Timessources said the Saudi leader argued that the ongoing military campaign represents a “historic opportunity” to weaken the Iranian regime and reduce the threat to the security of Gulf countries.
According to the same sources, bin Salman would also have encouraged tougher action against Iran’s energy infrastructure, assessing that a retreat now could allow Tehran to reorganize militarily. American officials interviewed by the newspaper stated that, behind the scenes, the United States government is discussing different scenarios for the conflict, ranging from a negotiated agreement to the expansion of military operations in the region.
