Thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, an elite unit of the US Army, have arrived in the Middle East, two US officials report. This development comes as US President Donald Trump considers next steps in confronting Iran.
Since March 18, the Trump administration has been reviewing the possibility of sending thousands of additional troops to the region, a move that would expand military options, including the potential deployment of forces within Iranian territory.
The paratroopers, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, join thousands of marines, sailors, and special operations forces already deployed in the region. Over the weekend, around 2,500 additional marines arrived in the Middle East.
Officials, speaking anonymously, did not provide exact details of the troop locations but emphasized that this deployment was expected.
The additional Army forces include elements from the 82nd Airborne Division headquarters, a logistics and support unit, and a brigade-level combat team.
No decision has yet been made to send forces into Iran, but these troops aim to increase capacity for potential future operations in the region, according to one source cited by Euronews and KosovaPress.
According to the same sources, the troops could be used for a range of operations in the context of confronting Iran, including a possible intervention on Kharg Island, which accounts for roughly 90% of Iran’s oil exports.
