US ramps up presence in Middle East with 50,000 soldiers — NYT
Troops could be deployed for a ground operation (Photo: Getty Images)
The number of US troops in the Middle East has already exceeded 50,000, which is 10,000 more than usual, according to The New York Times.
NYT notes that normally, at any given time, around 40,000 US soldiers are stationed at bases and on ships across the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait.
However, a US military representative told The New York Times that amid the escalation of the war with Iran, driven by President Donald Trump, the number of troops has already surpassed 50,000.
However, the troop count no longer includes the 4,500 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. This ship frequently encounters incidents, including a laundry fire. On March 23, it left the region and headed to Crete, arrived in Croatia on Friday, and its next destination remains unclear.
As The New York Times notes, last week the Pentagon sent about 2,000 soldiers from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to provide Trump with additional military options.
A military official stated that the location of the Army paratroopers is not being disclosed, but they will be within reach of Iran.
Specifically, the paratroopers could be used to seize Kharg Island or be deployed for other ground operations alongside the Marine Corps.
However, military experts warn that even 50,000 troops, many of whom are at sea, is far too few for any major ground operation. And when it comes to capturing and holding a country of this scale, doing so with just 50,000 soldiers is simply impossible.
Situation in the Middle East
According to media reports, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that military operations against Iran could last at least another 2–4 weeks.
Amid this, it was recently reported that the US has already deployed an amphibious ship and 3,500 Marines to the Middle East. In addition, the Pentagon is considering sending another 10,000 troops to expand Trump’s military options.
However, Bloomberg sources say that the Trump administration currently has no plans for a ground invasion of Iran. According to them, despite troop deployments, the US is relying on strategic pressure rather than committing ground forces.
