The United States is increasing its troop deployment to the Middle East while abandoning its responsibilities.

What are the strategic considerations behind AI’s increased troop deployment to the Middle East and Trump’s downgrade remarks?

According to Xinhua News Agency, Reuters on the 20th local time quoted three U.S. officials as saying that the U.S. will send thousands of troops to the Middle East.

CCTV News reported that, on the 20th, U.S. officials revealed that three warships, including the amphibious assault ship “Pugilist,” and about 2,500 Marines have departed from San Diego, California, heading to the Middle East.

Previously, the U.S. Department of Defense had dispatched the amphibious assault ship “Leroy” from Japan to carry the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East.

Pentagon develops detailed plans for deploying ground forces to Iran

On March 20 local time, U.S. Department of Defense officials prepared detailed plans for deploying U.S. ground forces to Iran.

It is understood that President Trump has been considering whether to deploy ground troops to Iran. The U.S. military also held meetings to develop contingency plans for Trump’s decision to send ground troops into combat, including how to handle potentially captured Iranian soldiers.

On the 19th, Trump told the media at the White House that he would not send troops (ground forces) to Iran, but quickly added, “If I send troops, I definitely won’t tell you.”

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated in a release on the 20th, “The Pentagon’s role is to provide the Commander-in-Chief with maximum options. This does not mean the President has made a decision. As the President said yesterday in the Oval Office, he currently has no plans to deploy ground forces anywhere.”

Additionally, it is reported that the Trump administration is considering occupying or blockading Iran’s oil export hub, Kharg Island, to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Such actions would require more troops, and the White House and Department of Defense are considering deploying additional forces.

Trump: Considering phased reduction of military actions against Iran

On March 20, local time, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform “Truth Social” that, as they consider gradually de-escalating major military actions targeting the Iranian regime in the Middle East, they are very close to achieving their set goals.

Trump stated that the guarding and patrol of the Strait of Hormuz should be undertaken by other countries using the strait when necessary, and the U.S. will no longer bear this responsibility.

When asked whether Israel is prepared to end the war against Iran once the U.S. completes its military actions, Trump replied, “I think so.”

Sources: Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, @CCTVInternationalNews, etc.

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