The Pentagon is evaluating the possibility of sending an additional 10,000 infantry troops to the Middle East amid the United States and Israel’s war against Iran, according to a report published this Thursday (26) by The Wall Street Journal, which cited War Department officials whose names were not disclosed as sources.
According to the WSJ, the objective would be to offer President Donald Trump more military options amid ceasefire negotiations with Tehran. The ministry has not officially confirmed the information.
The newspaper added that this contingent will likely be accompanied by the dispatch of infantry and armored vehicles and should be located at a distance that allows attacks on mainland Iran and Kharg Island, the Persian country’s strategic oil export center.
Previously, the Pentagon had already ordered the deployment of around 5,000 marines and 2,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division.
The news was published on the same day that American President Donald Trump extended to April 6 the deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage blocked almost entirely by Tehran in recent weeks.
The deadline expired this Friday (27) and the Republican threatened to “annihilate” the Iranian energy infrastructure if the regime does not meet the demand. About 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transited through Hormuz before the war.
In a post on the Truth Social network, Trump said he had extended the deadline for talks with Iran to continue.
“Negotiations are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the fake news press and others, they are going very well”, claimed the American president.
