The United States plans to send about 3,000 troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle Eastto supported operations against Iran. This was reported by the American media on Tuesday, TASR writes, according to the AFP agency and the Politico news website.
Thousands of US Marines are heading to the regionwho should arrive there by Friday – the deadline given by US President Donald Trump to Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. No decision has yet been taken on the entry of troops into Iranian territory, two US officials said, according to the media. A written dispatch order is expected in the next few hours.
If issued, the Middle East will soon be the most combat-ready US ground troops, AFP wrote, adding that the 82nd Airborne Division can be deployed anywhere in the world within 18 hours and specializes in “forced infiltration airstrikes” that pave the way for subsequent military operationsas reported on the division’s website.
The New York Times (NYT) was the first to report on Monday that US military officials are considering deploying a combat brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division and parts of its planning and logistics staff in the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran. These soldiers and members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, who are already en route, “could be used to occupy the island of Chark”, of Iran’s oil export center, NYT wrote.
“The move of the 82nd (Airborne Division) opens up the possibility for President Trump to try to forcefully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, seize strategic islands or the coast of Iran, or launch a mission to obtain the regime’s highly enriched uranium if he so chooses.” reported the WSJ.
Trump is continuing military operations against Iran even as he explores “new” diplomatic options, the White House said on Tuesday, after the president announced talks with Tehran and Pakistan emerged as a possible mediator. The head of the White House declared on Tuesday that talks with Iran to end the Middle East war are “right now” underway, saying Tehran is “very keen” to strike a deal.
