U.S. Army paratroopers deployed to the Middle East!
The Pentagon ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 U.S. Army paratroopers to the Middle East.
Washington, 24 Mar (EFE).-
The Pentagon on Tuesday ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 U.S. Army paratroopers to the Middle East, a move that comes amid reports of purported negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at halting the Iran war — talks that Iran has denied.
According to officials cited by several U.S. media outlets, the paratroopers ordered to deploy are from an airborne division with the capability to move anywhere in the world within 18 hours.
The decision would provide “new options for action” to U.S. President Donald Trump, according to two officials cited by The Washington Post.
For its part, The New York Times reported that the measure could potentially be used to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal in the northern Persian Gulf, where the United States carried out airstrikes last month without hitting oil infrastructure.
U.S. officials have not disclosed the exact location to which the paratroopers will be deployed.
The Pentagon’s decision was announced hours after Trump said that, in what he described as initial talks with Iran, the Islamic Republic had given him a “big gift,” without specifying what he meant.
While Iran has denied the existence of direct negotiations with the United States, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagaei acknowledged receiving messages from “friendly countries” regarding Washington’s request to negotiate.
The Iran war has entered its fourth week following the escalation that began Feb. 28 with coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory.
In response, Iran has launched waves of missiles and drones at Israel and strategic targets in the Gulf and has continued to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply transits.
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