U.S. Defense Department Considers Sending 10,000 More Ground Troops to the Middle East

The U.S. Defense Department (the Pentagon) is reviewing a plan to deploy up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East in preparation for a potential military clash with Iran.

According to The Wall Street Journal on the 26th (local time), the Pentagon is planning an additional deployment of 10,000 troops to provide President Trump with more military options. As ground forces have already begun massing near Iran, the commander of U.S. Central Command issued a stern warning to the Iranian navy, saying, "If you do not leave your posts, you will be at risk of death." Earlier, Israel escalated the war rhetoric by announcing it had killed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy—seen as having led efforts to close the Strait of Hormuz—in an airstrike.

The military tension is being immediately reflected in economic indicators as well. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on the day raised its U.S. inflation forecast for this year from 3% to 4.2%, citing a sharp jump in Middle East-driven energy prices. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "Short-term volatility due to the Iran war is inevitable," while adding, "Once this situation is wrapped up, safety for the next 50 years will be guaranteed," signaling a hard-line response.

President Trump is maintaining negotiating channels even as he increases military pressure. He extended the suspension deadline for attacks on Iran’s energy sector—originally set to last through Friday—by 10 days to the 6th of next month. Trump said it was "a decision made at Iran’s request," suggesting that indirect talks are under way via Pakistan. He also positively assessed Iran’s decision to allow the passage of an oil tanker with Pakistani nationality, calling it "a gift that reflects a willingness to negotiate."