Foreign Media: Trump Reportedly Considering Increasing Troop Deployment in the Middle East, While Evaluating Ground Operation Options

According to Odaily, a U.S. official and three informed sources stated that the Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to strengthen its military operations in the Middle East. These deployments could provide Trump with more options as he weighs expanding operations. Sources indicated that ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz might involve deploying U.S. ground forces along the Iranian coast. The Trump administration has also discussed deploying ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, as well as the possibility of sending U.S. troops to secure Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. A White House official said, "No decision has been made yet to deploy ground forces. The President is focused on achieving all the stated objectives of Operation 'Epic Fury'." Sources said discussions about increasing troop levels are not limited to an amphibious readiness group and its attached Marine Expeditionary Unit (approximately 2,000 Marines) scheduled to arrive in the Middle East next week. However, one source noted that the U.S. military will lose a portion of its forces due to the USS Ford aircraft carrier being sent to Greece for repairs after a fire. (Jin10)