Tehran: Several hundred US Special Operations forces have arrived in the Middle East, joining thousands of Marines and Army paratroopers as President Donald Trump considers his next move in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
According to TRTworld.com, the deployment includes commandos such as Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, although they have not been assigned specific missions yet. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that these specialized ground troops could be tasked with safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed, or participating in missions targeting Kharg Island, Iran's key oil hub in the Gulf. Additionally, they might be involved in operations related to Iran's highly enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
The arrival of these forces complements the recent deployment of approximately 2,500 Marines and 2,500 sailors to the region. Currently, more than 50,000 US troops are stationed in the Middle East, an increase of about 10,000 from the usual numbers, as President Trump evaluates his next steps in the conflict. Officials mentioned that the president is considering several options to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which about 20 percent of the world's oil typically passes. The route has been largely closed following attacks by Iranian forces in response to US and Israeli actions.
US troop presence in the region traditionally stands at around 40,000 across various bases and ships in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, which carried 4,500 personnel, has withdrawn from the region due to technical issues and is now in Europe. Last week, the Pentagon also ordered about 2,000 troops from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division to the region, though their specific location remains undisclosed. These paratroopers could potentially engage in ground operations, including missions linked to Kharg Island.
Military experts have cautioned that even with 50,000 troops, a major land operation in Iran would be challenging due to the country's size and population.