US considers sending 10,000 more troops to Middle East

2026-03-27 - 06:19

The Pentagon is considering a significant expansion of US military presence in the Middle East, with plans to deploy up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the region, according to media reports citing Department of Defense officials. The potential deployment would include infantry units and armored vehicles, joining approximately 5,000 Marines and thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already ordered to the area. Officials indicated that the additional forces would likely be positioned within operational range of Iran and Kharg Island, a critical oil export hub off the Iranian coast. Expanding military options President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to “open the Strait of Hormuz,” with or without allied support. Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly emphasized that “President Trump always has all military options at his disposal,” adding that all troop deployment announcements would come from the Department of War. A spokesperson for US Central Command declined to comment on the planning, which remains under discussion among defense officials. Türkiye’s call for diplomacy As Washington signals its willingness to increase military pressure, Türkiye continues to advocate for diplomatic solutions to the escalating crisis. Ankara has maintained that a military buildup only heightens the risk of a wider conflagration and undermines efforts to bring parties to the negotiating table. Turkish officials have consistently warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—through which a substantial portion of global oil passes—harms all nations and must be resolved through dialogue, not force. Ankara remains engaged with all sides, positioning itself as a key mediator capable of bridging divides in one of the world’s most volatile regions.