Thousands of more US troops to deploy to Middle East: Report

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U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conduct an airborne operation from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter onto Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 12 February 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Alvin Ca

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Thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, are expected to deploy to the Middle East according to a Reuters report.

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Dig deeper:

Between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers will head to the region, the source told Reuters. The soldiers' deployment comes after the thousands of ​Marines from the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, USS Portland amphibious transport dock ship and USS Comstock dock landing ship. The ships departed their home base in San Diego last week heading to the Middle East during Operation Epic Fury.

Reuters said the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not specify where the Army troops would go or ​when they would arrive. 

When asked about the deployment, the U.S. military referred questions to the ​White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.

Sources told Reuters no decision has been made to send troops on the ground into Iran.  Before the buildup on the region, there were 50,000 U.S. troops there. 

Iran war latest

The backstory:

At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed since the U.S-Israeli attacks started Feb. 28. More than 1,300 people in Iran have been killed, while Israeli strikes have displaced more than 1 million Lebanese — roughly 20% of the population — according to the Lebanese government, which says 968 people have been killed. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire.