Foreign Media: Trump Reportedly Considering Troop Increase in Middle East While Assessing Ground Operation Options

Odaily Planet Daily reports that an American official and three informed sources say the Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to bolster its military operations in the Middle East. These deployments could provide Trump with more options as he weighs expanding actions. The sources indicate that ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz might involve deploying ground forces along the Iranian coast. The Trump administration has also discussed deploying ground troops to Halek Island in Iran and the possibility of sending U.S. forces to secure Iran’s high-enriched uranium stockpiles. A White House official stated, “No decision has been made yet to deploy ground forces. The President is focused on achieving all the objectives of Operation Epic Fury.” The sources say that discussions about troop increases are not limited to a Marine expeditionary unit and its attached Marine Corps battalion arriving in the Middle East next week, totaling about 2,000 Marines. However, one source noted that due to the fire on the USS Ford, which was sent to Greece for repairs, the U.S. military will lose some forces. (Jin10)