Pentagon and Possibility of Sending 120,000 Troops to Counter Iran

American media outlets have reported on plans to send 120,000 troops to the Middle East. This is one of the Trump administration’s options for countering Iranian threats. U.S. government officials have emphasized that they do not want war with Iran.

The news about the possible deployment of American troops to the Middle East was first reported by the “New York Times.” According to this newspaper’s report, the U.S. government is currently reviewing several military options to counter Iranian threats.

On Tuesday, May 14, Reuters news agency reported from Washington about the possibility of deploying 120,000 American troops to the Middle East.

According to Reuters’ report, the U.S. currently takes two threats from Iran seriously. One is that American soldiers and institutions and centers affiliated with America could come under attack, and the other is that Iran might resume work on developing nuclear weapons.

The Plan to Deploy 120,000 Troops

The “New York Times” has identified the plan to deploy 120,000 American troops to the Middle East as one of the U.S. government’s military options in the current situation.

The newspaper wrote that the U.S. government is reviewing this option and other military options to counter dangers and threats posed by Iran or its allies in the region to America.

The “New York Times” further wrote in its report that the news about the possible deployment of 120,000 troops to the Middle East is based on information the outlet obtained from a U.S. government representative.

It is reported that Patrick Shanahan, the U.S. interim Secretary of Defense, raised this military option with Donald Trump during one of their recent meetings.

Silence from U.S. Officials

This comes as the White House has been unwilling to comment on the “New York Times” report. Furthermore, it is reported that the Pentagon has so far remained silent regarding reports published in American media outlets and news agencies.

Reuters reported in a separate article that the meeting between Patrick Shanahan and Donald Trump took place on Thursday, May 9.

According to information from the “New York Times,” those present at this meeting included John Bolton, White House National Security Advisor, Gina Haspel, CIA Director, Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence, and Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Army.

Source: DW