The White House and the Pentagon are considering sending at least 10,000 additional combat troops to the Middle East in the coming days, according to a senior U.S. defense official.
Why it matters: If the Trump administration decides to send extra troops, it will significantly increase the number of combat soldiers the U.S. has in the region. It is another signal that a U.S. ground operation in Iran is being seriously prepared.
- The massive surge in ground troops is being considered as President Trump says the U.S. is negotiating with Iran on a deal to end the war. Iranian officials haven't agreed yet to hold a high-level meeting with the U.S. and they are suspicious that the U.S. diplomatic push is another trick.
State of play: The U.S. defense official expects the decision to be made next week and said the troops will be from different combat units than the ones which have already been sent to the region.
- The Wall Street Journal first reported that the Trump administration is considering sending the troop reinforcements.
Driving the news: The Pentagon is developing military options for a "final blow" in Iran that could include the use of ground forces and a massive bombing campaign, Axios reported.
- Trump hasn't made a decision yet on pursuing any of these scenarios, but sources say he's ready to escalate if talks with Iran don't yield tangible results soon.
- More reinforcements, including several fighter jet squadrons and thousands of troops, are expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days and weeks.
- One Marine expeditionary unit will arrive this week and another is now deploying.
- The command element of the 82nd Airborne Division has been directed to deploy to the Middle East with an infantry brigade consisting of several thousand troops.
