Pentagon and the possibility of sending 120,000 troops to confront Iran
US media have reported plans to send 120,000 troops to the Middle East. This has been announced as one of the Trump administration's options to counter Iranian threats. US government officials have emphasized that they do not want war with Iran.
The news of the possible deployment of American troops to the Middle East was first reported by the New York Times. According to the newspaper, the US government is currently considering several military options to counter Iranian threats.
On Tuesday, May 14, Reuters reported from Washington that 120,000 American troops may be sent to the Middle East.
A Reuters report states that the United States is currently taking two threats from Iran seriously: one that American soldiers and US-affiliated institutions and centers would be attacked, and the other that Iran would resume work on producing nuclear weapons.
Plan to deploy 120,000 soldiers
The New York Times has announced the plan to send 120,000 American troops to the Middle East as one of the US government's military options in the current situation.
The newspaper wrote that the US government is considering this and other military options to counter the dangers and threats posed to the United States by Iran or its allies in the region.
The New York Times continued its report by writing that the news about the possible deployment of 120,000 troops to the Middle East is based on information that the media outlet obtained from a representative of the US government.
It is said that Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan raised this military option with Donald Trump in one of his recent meetings.
The silence of American officials
This is while the White House has refused to comment on the New York Times report. In addition, it is said that the Pentagon has also remained silent about the reports published in the American media and news agencies.
Reuters reported in a separate report that the meeting between Patrick Shanahan and Donald Trump took place on Thursday, May 9.
According to the New York Times, the meeting was attended by White House National Security Advisor John Bolton, CIA Director Gina Haspel, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford.
Source: DW
