The U.S. Department of Defense is considering deploying 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East.

U.S. Department of Defense officials said the Pentagon is considering sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East. The force is expected to include infantry and armored vehicles. It is not yet clear where the force would be deployed in the Middle East, but its location is very likely to be within striking range of Iran and its oil export hub, Khark Island. The spokesman for U.S. Central Command declined to comment on the matter. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said, “Any announcements regarding troop deployment will be issued by the Department of Defense. President Trump is always in possession of all military options.” Despite President Trump’s repeated statement that the United States and Iran are in negotiations, the U.S. military has recently continued to send additional troops to the Middle East. In addition to transferring two Marine Corps expeditionary units from Japan and from U.S. California, totaling about 5,000 personnel, it has also moved approximately 2,000 soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. (Xinhua News Agency)