of The Trump administration is said to be considering sending an additional 10,000 US troops to the Middle East amid growing fears of an invasion by Iran, which is mobilizing its forces before a possible ground attack.
of Wall Street Journal reported that the new US troop deployment “is likely to include infantry and armored vehicles” and “will be in addition to the roughly 5,000 Marines and thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division already ordered to the region.” US Central Command has said that about 50,000 US troops are currently stationed in the Middle East.
US lawmakers have not authorized any strikes against Iran, but legislative efforts to withdraw US forces from the war have so far failed to pass either house of Congress.
House Democratic leaders chose not to vote on a new Iran war powers resolution until mid-April, despite apparently having sufficient support for passageand the Senate is not planning to keep it the first public hearing for the fight until after legislators return from spring break.
“Of course I am pleased that US Congress thoroughly debated the merits of this war, and the American public had a chance to weigh in on this expenditure of blood and treasure before the legislative branch finally decided it was worth it and voted to authorize it,” Brian Finucane, senior adviser to the US Program at the International Crisis Group. has written sardonically in response to reports of new troop deployment plans.
Dylan Williams, vice president for government affairs at the Center for International Policy, warned that dislocations of rapidly expanding bodies are “like a hypothetical mathematically simplified escalation trap.”
“First Trump ordered 2,500 more US ground troops to Middle East. Then doubled to 5,000,” Williams wrote. “Now Trump can double down again by deploying 10,000 additional ground troops.”
The Times of Israel reported Thursday that an unnamed official “from one of the countries that mediates between the U.S. and Iran” believes that the president Donald Trump “Looks Leaning Towards Ordering US Ground Operation Against Iran.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu THERE said publicly that a “ground component” is needed in Iran, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has it RECITED pushed Trump backstage to launch a ground attack.
According to The Times of Israel, “the official familiar with the mediation efforts says the US privately recognizes that Iran is unlikely to agree to the concessions outlined in Washington’s 15-point plan and has sent thousands of troops to the region to occupy Tehran’s Kharg Island at Trump’s behest.”
Kharg Island is the capital of Iran oil export center. Among those who ask Trump to occupy the island is the former Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav GallantWHO has written Thursday that “on the strategic chessboard of this war, Kharg Island is the next piece.”
“Yes, there are risks,” wrote Gallant, who is wanted by International Criminal Court ABOUT war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. “Any operation to capture Kharg would require thousands of troops, sustained air and naval support, and detailed intelligence, and would have a real and expected cost in human life.”
“President Trump has set the U.S. up for this option. By signaling a willingness to explore a diplomatic deal with Iran, he has shown the American people and the international community that he is prepared to compromise if Iran meets core demands,” Gallant added.
“By giving Iran days, not months, to meet these conditions, it buys time for US forces and their allies to prepare and finalize operational plans.”
Originally published by Shared dreamsTHIS ITEM is republished under a Creative Commons license.
