The US is transferring thousands of fighters from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East
Thousands of troops from the US Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East. This was reported by Reuters.
The transfer comes as US President Donald Trump considers further steps in the war against Iran.
The paratroopers, stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will join thousands of additional sailors, Marines and special operations forces already deployed to the region. About 2,500 Marines also arrived in the Middle East over the weekend.
The officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, did not specify where exactly these soldiers would be stationed, but noted that such a move was expected.
“The additional military personnel include units of the 82nd Airborne Division headquarters, some logistics and other support units, as well as one combat brigade. A decision to send troops to Iran has not yet been made, but they will build capacity for possible future operations in the region,” Reuters quoted one of the officials as saying.
As the agency notes, these forces could be used for several tasks in a war with Iran, in particular, for a possible attempt to take control of Kharq Island, through which 90% of Iranian oil exports pass.
Reuters emphasizes that any use of US ground forces could pose serious political risks for Trump, given the weak support for the campaign against Iran among Americans, as well as his own election promises not to drag the US into new conflicts in the Middle East.
